Wedding cancelled following erris tractor tragedy

THE four-year-old boy killed when struck by a tractor in Erris last night (Wednesday) had been holidaying with his parents in the area in advance of a large family wedding planned for this weekend, which has now been cancelled.

The youngster, Declan Donoghue Jnr., Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway City, was struck by a tractor driven by a relative while cycling near his grandparents house in the village of Bellanaboy, close to the site of the Corrib gas terminal.

Both gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the tragedy, which has numbed the entire community.

The dead child's parents, Declan and Geraldine Donoghue, were due to attend the wedding of a relative, P.J. Conroy, a member of An Garda Síochána, based in Co. Roscommon, and his fiancée, Mary Carolan, from Glengad, on Saturday.

The Donoghues have two other young children. They were visiting Bellanaboy in the lead up to the planned wedding.

Minister of State Michael Ring, one of those invited to the wedding, said today: “This tragedy is beyond comprehension. It's truly awful.”

Local priests Fr. Sean Noone and Fr. Declan Hogan visited the bereaved families for several hours after the remains had been taken to Belmullet District Hospital and onward to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar, where a post mortem is being carried out.

Fr. Noone commented that the families were coping as best they could with the magnitude of their loss.

“They are very distressed but hugely supportive of each other,” the cleric added.

Declan Donoghue's remains will repose at McDonnell's Funeral Home, Belmullet, from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Friday). The funeral will take place to Rahoon Cemetery, Galway City, on Saturday following Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra.