Young father-of-three dies in NI farm accident

A young father-of-three has died following a farm accident in Northern Ireland.

Farmworker Toirdealbhach Larkin, aged 22, from Bessbrook, south Armagh, was erecting an outbuilding at a farm in Katesbridge, County Down, on Friday (4 May), morning when he was killed.

According to local reports, it is understood a concrete slab fell and hit him on the head. His death is being treated as an accident.

See also: How to stay safe as silage season begins

Police officers from attended the scene and Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) has also been informed.

Mr Larkin is the son of Sinn Féin local councillor Mickey Larkin, who is also a loyal club supporter of Dromintee Gaelic Athletic Club (GAC).

In a statement on their Facebook page, Dromintee GAC said: “We tender deepest sympathy to Mickey and to the entire family circle on this sad occasion.”

Tragic death

Newry & Armagh Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Mr Larkin’s death. 

“The thoughts and prayers of all are with Toirdealbhach’s family as they come to terms with the news of his tragic death and I extend my condolences to them on behalf of myself and Sinn Féin,” she added.

Mourners gathered at St Catherine’s Dominican Chapel in Newry on Sunday (6 May) for the requiem mass to pay their respects to Mr Larkin. His burial took place at St Mary’s cemetery in Newry on Monday (7 May).

Mr Larkin is survived by his partner Aofie, and children, Thomas, Scarlett and Lily-Mae.

He is the fourth person to die following a farm accident in the UK in the past 19 days.