Man dies following accident on farm

Last year, 21 people died in farming-related accidents on Irish farms. Stock Image

Margaret Donnelly

A man in his 30s has died in a farming accident in Kerry.

The accident occurred at Lisheenbawn, Farranfore, Co Kerry, yesterday when the man suffered a fall on a farm he was working on.

Gardaí were alerted to the accident at around 11am yesterday and the man was taken to Tralee Hospital with injuries that were described as "critical".

He was later pronounced dead. A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority said it was investigating the incident. Gardaí from Castleisland were notified and are also investigating.

Last year, 21 people died in farming-related accidents on Irish farms.

Just last week, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, warned that Irish farmers who break farm safety rules will risk losing their EU grants.

Tragedies

He said the rate of serious workplace accidents was reducing in Ireland and across the EU - but no such progress was being seen in the farming sector.

"We have to do more in the light of the recent accidents and heart-breaking tragedies," Mr Hogan said.