Tributes have been paid to 18-yr-old Dessie O’Kelly, who tragically lost his life in a devastating tractor crash in Co Leitrim on Tuesday, reports The Mirror.
Dessie, who died at the scene, was a passenger on a tractor that crashed in a single-vehicle incident on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen, at approximately 3.10pm. The driver, also in his late teens, was taken to Cavan General Hospital. His injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Carrigallen Vocational School, where Dessie had been a student, expressed their sorrow in a heartfelt tribute, reports The Mirror.
In a social media post, 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 11am to lunchtime tomorrow to offer support to current and last year’s Leaving Cert students,” reports The Mirror.
Dessie, a young farmer, was studying at Ballyhaise Agricultural College, where he was completing his QQI-accredited Green Cert in agriculture.
Local parish priest Fr John McMahon, who had known Dessie since his days as an altar server at Drumeela National School, said the young man was carrying out work experience at the time of the accident.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Fr McMahon said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the O’Kelly family at this time. With his father Gene, mother Theresa and sister Clara. It’s Holy Week, and it’s very poignant at this time to be experiencing this, the heavy cross that they have to carry at this time,” reports The Mirror.
“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. It’s a very sad loss for all. This is a huge blow for everyone in the area.” Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward, reports The Mirror.
A spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 2.30pm and 3.30pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Carrick-on-Shannon on (071) 9650510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station,” reports The Mirror.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
