Man killed in freak accident

A LAOIS community is in deep shock following the death of a father-of-five in a tragic accident.

Seán Geoghegan of Coolbally, Clough, Ballacolla lost his life in the devastating incident near Cullohill at the weekend.

He worked for a number of local farmers and had just finished milking a dairy herd before the tragedy happened on Saturday.

It is understood that he was carrying out repairs to his car, which was lifted up by a tractor, when the freak accident occurred.

Emergency services attended the scene and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is carrying out an investigation, to establish the exact circumstances of the fatal incident.

A well-known and highly regarded figure in the farming community, Mr Geoghegan’s sudden death has caused enormous grief in his home area and beyond.

A vote of sympathy to the family was passed at this morning’s meeting of Laois Co Council, where Cllr John King said his death was a huge loss to the farming community, where he was very well-known and highly respected.

Describing his death as a terrible tragedy, Cllr Ollie Clooney said Mr Geoghegan was a very hard worker and a great family man whose death was a huge loss to his family and community.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

His death notice today says: ‘Sean will be greatly missed and is deeply regretted by his devoted mother Breda, his heartbroken wife Barbara, much loved father of Hannah, Kevin, Jamie-Louise, Clodagh and Aaron, his grandson Rian, his brothers and sisters Liam, Mary, Gerry, Ann, Theresa, Paddy, Paul, Catherine and Stephen, his aunts and uncles, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.’ 

He was predeceased by his father John and his brother James (Jimmy).