Galway farmer killed in farming accident named locally
He was remembered as a ‘kind, funny and helpful’ man who was ‘one-in-a-million’
A Galway farmer who was killed in a farming accident on Wednesday has been named locally with tributes pouring in for the tragic man.
Dad-of-one Paul Kelly died during an incident in which slurry was being spread on a field in Loughrea.
The Health and Safety Authority are still investigating the fatal incident with the scene preserved for further examination.
In his RIP notice, Paul’s family said they would like to express their sincere thanks to all their family, neighbours and friends for their kindness and help during this very sad time.
Paul was much loved by his local Loughrea community with people flooding to pay tribute to a man that was “one in a million”.
One close friend said: “It is with absolute shock and sadness that I have to write this condolence. My deepest sympathies to your daughter and family. The bed of heaven to you Paul, you really were one in a million. Hard-working, kind, funny, and always helpful. From Carrabane, to secondary school and socialising, it was always great craic, meeting you. Rest easy Paul with your lovely parents Vincent and Bernadette. RIP.”
Another added: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Paul. He and I started in Tetrarch together sitting practically opposite each other, I was probably melting his head with questions on building problems, which Paul always answered, helping me understand the various issues that our day to day job brought. Paul was always a Galway man though, never wanting to stay in Dublin. I am very saddened by his death and send my sincere condolences to his family, especially his daughter and her mom. Rest in peace Paul. You will always be remembered.”
Paul will repose in Kilboy’s Funeral Home on Sunday before mass and burial in Clostoken on Monday.
The accident death toll on Irish farms in 2025 rose to 23, as compared to 12 in 2024, bucking a downward trend in workplace related deaths since 2020. Ten people died in construction related incidents last year.
Farming related deaths accounted for 40% of the total workplace fatalities in 2025, even though only 4% of the country’s total employment numbers work on farms.
The elderly age profile of farmers; the fact that they often work alone; their work with machinery and livestock; and often a DIY approach to repairing roofs etc., are all regarded as major contributory factors to the disproportionately high accident fatality rate with farmers.
Speaking about the figures earlier this year, Connacht IFA Regional Chair, Brendan Golden told us that one death in a farming accident was ‘one too many’ as he again appealed for a safety-first approach on every day that farmers went about their daily workload.
“The latest statistics on workplace deaths, and especially those involving farmers, are most concerning for all of us who work and live off the land.
“I know the message might be repetitive but we have to adopt a more determined approach to staying safe while working on our farms.
“We all know the basics but do we always adopt the safe approach for example with PTO guards and covers; with the handling of livestock; being aware of the dangers of working on roofs and heights; and ensuring that our tractors and machinery are all in good working order.
“The nature of farming in the West of Ireland does involve farmers working on their own most of the time, but for example, there are a lot of useful aids in terms of safe animal handling facilities, some of them grant-aided under the TAMS scheme.