Four-year-old boy killed in Mayo tractor incident named

The four-year-old boy killed when struck by a tractor in Erris, Co Mayo on Wednesday night 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, of 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, PJ 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 the dead child’s grandparents in Bellanaboy in the lead up to the planned wedding at the weekend.

Neither grandparent was the driver of the tractor involved in the accident.

Minister of State Michael Ring, who was invited to the wedding, said on Thursday “this tragedy is beyond comprehension. It’s truly awful”.

Local priests Fr Sean Noone and Fr Declan Hogan will visit the bereaved families for several hours on Thursday evening after the remains are taken to Belmullet District Hospital and onward to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar where a post mortem is due to be carried out.

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

“They are very distressed but hugely supportive of each other”, he said.

Declan Donoghue’s remains will repose at McDonnell’s Funeral Home, Belmullet, from 5pm to 8 pm on Friday.

The funeral will take place to Rahoon Cemetery, Galway City, on Saturday following Requiem Mass at 11 am in the Church of St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra.