Bishop calls for increased awareness of farm safety

Ireland saw an 87% increase in fatal farm accidents last year

Following an 87% increase in fatal farm accidents in Ireland, Bishop Denis Nulty has encouraged parishes to promote the importance of farm safety.

The Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin was the main celebrant at an ecumenical remembrance service in Most Holy Rosary Church in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois on Sunday to remember those who have lost their lives in agriculture related accidents.

“It is vital we get the message of farm safety out there,” he told The Irish Catholic. “Farming families are the backbone of every parish and it is terribly important that as a Church that we support families through very tough times when an accident or death happens.”

Support

Over 700 people attended the service organised by Embrace FARM, which was founded last year by Co. Laois farmer Brian Rohan – whose father Liam died following an accident on the family farm in 2012 – to act as a support network for families affected by farm deaths.

The event was the second annual remembrance service, with the latest figures showing that 30 people lost their lives on farms in 2014, an 87% increase on 2013. 

Among those in attendance were Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and his counterpart from the Northern Assembly Michelle O’Neill, who jointly presented a wreath as a mark of respect to the lost loved ones.