Victim of farmyard tragedy is named

GARDAÍ and the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) have commenced an investigation into the death of an eight-year-old schoolgirl in a farmyard accident involving a tractor yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

The victim was named today (Wednesday) as Jessica Needham from the townland of Lismolin, Islandeady, Castlebar. A post-mortem is being carried out at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.

Details of the circumstances of the tragedy are being investigated by gardaí in Westport. The dead girl's parents, Pat and Michelle, are being comforted by neighbours at their rural home.

The schoolgirl's death is the second agriculture-related death in west Mayo over the past week. Sheep farmer Christy Gallagher (51) from Thallabawn, Louisburgh, was killed on Mweelrea Mountain on Saturday. He was rounding up sheep with neighbours when he fell into a ravine. The father of four was laid to rest today (Wednesday).