Weekend marred by two farm deaths
Northern Ireland’s appalling farm safety record has been hit by another tragedy.
Jackie McCooey a 76-year-old farmer from Dungannon, County Tyrone, died when he fell into cattle feeding machinery.
The incident, which took place at about 8pm on Friday 26 October, is the tenth farm death in Northern Ireland since April this year.
The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland has begun an investigation into the death.
Tributes to Mr McCooey were led by Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Patsy Daly.
“The community is in complete shock at the death of this father and husband.”
“Jackie was a well-known, hardworking farmer in the area, held in very high esteem in the community as a whole,” said Mr Daly.
The past weekend was also marred by a the death of a farmer in Cornwall.
Kelvin Bailey, 67, was hit by a car at about 11.30am on Saturday 27 October as he moved cattle across a road between United Downs and Frogpool near St Day. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Bailey farmed at Cusgarne Manor and a statement released by his family said he would be “greatly missed by his wife, relations and many, many friends”.
Neighbouring farmer Greg Pascoe added his tribute to Mr Bailey, describing him as a gentle giant.
“He had wrists twice the size of mine and immense strength. But he was a good guy, with a ready smile and a chuckle. I never heard a cross word from him,” Mr Pascoe said.
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