A SMALL community in Co Leitrim is in “complete shock” following the tragic death of a local teenager in a tractor crash yesterday.
The 18-year-old, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash, has been named locally as Dessie O’Kelly.
Dessie was a passenger on the tractor when it crashed on the R204 at Aghavilla in Carrigallen, Co Leitrim at around 3.10pm yesterday.
The driver of the vehicle, also aged in his late teens, was taken to Cavan General Hospital for treatment of injuries, which are believed to be non-life-threatening.
The community of Carrigallen has been plunged into mourning following the tragedy.
Sinn Fein councillor Brendan Barry described the mood in the local area as one of “complete shock”.
He told The Irish Sun: “The community is in complete shock, it shows how fragile life is and we never know what’s going to happen next.
“The families of all those involved are in our thoughts and prayers.”
It is understood that tragic Dessie, who had a keen interest in farming, had completed his Leaving Cert and was in Ballyhaise Agricultural College studying for his QQI-accredited Green Cert for agriculture.
Carrigallen Vocational School today confirmed that the school will open tomorrow to provide support to current students and Dessie’s former classmates.
In a statement, the school said: “It is with deep sadness that we remember former student Dessie O’Kelly who passed away yesterday.
“The sympathies of all our school community are extended to his family and friends at this sad time.
“School will be open from 11 to lunchtime tomorrow to offer support to current and last year’s LC students.”
Local parish priest Fr John McMahon praised Dessie, who had been an altar server during his time at Drumeela National School, as a “helpful and great young fellow” in a poignant tribute this morning.
‘HUGE BLOW FOR EVERYONE’
He told Northern Sound: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the O’Kelly family at this time, with his father, Gene, and mother, Theresa, and sister, Clara.
“This is a very, you know, it’s Holy Week, and it’s very poignant at this time to have, you know, experiencing this, the cross, the heavy cross that they have to carry at this time.
“And our thoughts and prayers are with the O’Kelly family, and indeed for also with the Bannon family, that Ryan and all who feel the real pain and loss of young Dessie.
“On behalf of the whole community here, I want to express our condolences to the O’Kelly family, and certainly we will be remembering them in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”
McMahon added: “It’s a very sad loss for all.
“Then Desi went to Carrigallen Vocational School, and he finished there last year, and he was starting an agricultural course in Ballyhaise, and he was on work experience.
“So this is a huge blow for everyone in the area.”
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
