A 77-year-old man has died after being attacked by a newly calved cow on a seaside farm in Co. Mayo.
The victim, Patrick Geraghty, who lived and farmed on the Erris Peninsula, was checking on the cow on Saturday evening when the animal charged at him.
Mr. Geraghty, who was seriously injured in the attack, was treated by emergency services at the scene before being airlifted in an Irish Coastguard helicopter to University College Hospital in Galway.
He passed away at the hospital some time later.
Family, other relatives, friends and neighbours are mourning the death of the popular and hardworking farmer who is survived by his wife Ellen (Ellie) and two grown up children.
The Geraghty family live at Mullaghroe, Clogher, near the tip of the Erris Peninsula.
Sean Carey, an elected member of Mayo County Council in the Belmullet Electoral Area, commented that the community was stunned by the tragedy.
“We especially feel for Patrick’s family on their sad and sudden loss”, Councillor Carey said.
The danger posed by newly calved cows and heifers to farmers is frequently highlighted by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Newly calved animals may become aggressive to any intruders in their space, the Authority warns.
