Heartbreaking first pic of farmer, 91, who died after being ‘attacked by cow’ as locals left devastated by ‘huge loss’

HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for an elderly man who died in a farm accident in Co Limerick on Monday.

Donal O’Connor, 91, is understood to have passed away after being attacked by a cow while loading cattle at his farm near Askeaton.

The dad-of-three, who was from Tarbert Island in Co Kerry, was tending to cattle, that were being outwintered, at the time of the horrific incident on Monday evening.

Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 6pm but the farmer was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

A garda spokesperson said: “A male, aged in his 90s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His body has since been removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem examination. The local coroner has been notified.” 

The Health and Safety Authority has also confirmed that it is investigating the incident.

A death notice online reads: “Donal’s death was unexpected on January 19th 2026 at his farm at Morgan’s North, Barrigone, Askeaton.

“Donal is predeceased by his beloved wife Bríd, his parents John and Elizabeth and his brother Anthony.

“Donal will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his heartbroken daughters Elizabeth, Marie and Edel, his brother Ted, his sisters Kathleen (Galvin) and Ann (Stack), his special friend Helen Murphy, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family relatives [and] neighbours.”

It added that the farmer will be deeply missed by his large circle of friends and the local community, who are “greatly saddened to realise, that the torch that illuminated our path, into past history and folklore is now extinguished”.

Paying tribute, Donal’s family posted the words of the Thomas McCreevey Poem.

“A Chain on a Ship at the Pier, Rattled to Silence, Cries of Children, Playing Sounded Faintly And, Musically, Somewhere, A Young Sailor of the Island’’.

Locals also paid tribute, with one mourner telling how Donal was “a delight and a light that never goes out”, adding that they will miss their “lovely visits” with the farmer.

‘WISE AND GENTLE’

 The Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival Committee said: “BBF committee sends its sincere condolences to you Helen, Donal’s daughters and your families, to the extended O’Connor families and Donal’s huge circle of friends and fans.

“He was a committed supporter of all things good in the community. A huge loss to the historical and literary world. Rest in peace Donal.”

Another mourner described Donal as a “wise and gentle, knowledgeable historian, farmer and sage”.

Donal’s remains will repose at St Mary’s Funeral Home in Tarbert from 6pm until 8pm this Friday evening.

His funeral cortege will depart Tarbert Island on Saturday morning at 11:30am to arrive at St Mary’s Church in Tarbert for Requiem Mass at 12pm.

Provisional figures recently published by the HSA showed that there were 23 deaths in the agriculture sector in 2025.

This figure accounts for 40 per cent of all work-related fatalities last year, from a sector employing approximately four per cent of the workforce.

The construction sector recorded 10 fatalities compared to five in 2024.