A MAN killed in a tragic workplace accident in Co Donegal yesterday has been named locally as leading farmer John Roulston.
Mr Roulston, who was in his 60s, passed away following an accident at his family’s farm at Newtowncunningham at approximately 1pm.
He is survived by his wife Susan, a renowned local vet, as well as the couple’s children and Mr Roulston’s extended family.
Mr Roulston’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through the farming community where he was not just respected locally but also on a national level.
The Roulston farmstead is one of the leading dairy farms in the country with a proud tradition of being a quality milk supplier around the world.
The late Mr Roulston worked closely with his brothers Keith and George on the large dairy farm at Moneymore in Newtowncunningham.
A full investigation has been launched into the tragedy by the Health and Safety Authority.
The late Mr Roulston was taken from the family farm yesterday and removed to Letterkenny University Hospital.
The local coroner, Dr Denis McCauley was informed and a post mortem is due to take place.
A Garda spokesperson said investigations into the tragedy are ongoing and the Health and Safety Authority has been informed.
It is the third incident this month which has resulted in a tragedy on a farm.
Dad-of-two Garrett Dee died after an accident at a farm in Ballylongford, Co Kerry just days ago.
It’s understand Mr Dee was assisting a cow in the calving of twins in a shed on his farm when the tragedy occurred shortly before midnight on February 14.
Gardai attended the incident and confirmed that Mr Dee was pronounced dead at the scene.
FARMER TRAPPED UNDER BALE
The married father-of-two was well known in the area and the family also run a B&B.
In a death notice posted online, Mr Dee was remembered as a “beloved husband” who was “dearly loved” by his family.
Separately a man in his 60s died following an incident on a farm in Co Leitrim at the beginning of the month.
Fergus Geelan, from Drumard in Mohill, is understood to have passed away after getting trapped under a bale of hay sometime between 3:30pm in the afternoon and 8pm on February 4.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Locals described him as a pure gentleman who had a passion for farming and who had worked for a number of local companies, including Masonite and Bord na Mona.
