A YOUNG Donegal father was one of nine people who died in farm-related accidents during the past 12 months according to latest Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures.
Tommy Feeney, a native of Magumna, Ardara, died after an incident near his home in Corduff, Co Monaghan, on October 12.
Tommy (37) was married to Niamh and the couple have two young daughters, Aoife and Maria.
He was a fun-loving, protective, witty brother to his six sisters May, Carmel, Caitriona, Jacinta, Edel and Grace and a much loved son to his parents, Noreen and John.
On March 5, the Corduff minor ladies team – which Tommy helped to coach and manage – will travel to Pearse Memorial Park to play Ardara for The Tommy Feeney Memorial Cup at 3.30pm.
The match has been organised by Tommy’s family and friends from Ardara and Corduff, with all funds going to Embrace FARM Ireland, a charity which supports about 300 farm families affected by the tragic loss of a loved one in a farming accident or to survivors who have suffered serious injuries as a consequence of a farm related accident.
“As a family we felt this was a beautiful way to remember him, the larger than life character who had spent many hours down in Pearse Memorial park as a young boy. We hope that by combining his passion of football with this fundraising event, to raise awareness and much needed funds for a charity that is doing so much good work.”
devastation
General manager of Embrace FARM Norma Rohan said the charity puts a person to each one of the statistics when it comes to farm accidents and supports families experiencing the “true toll of the devastation caused”.
Ms Rohan said farmers injured or killed in farm accidents are “more than just a number” and that “they each leave a legacy behind them, none more so than to their family”.
“Embrace FARM supports people who unexpectedly find themselves on a journey of loss and trauma,” she added.
A Go Fund Me page has also been set up by the family: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-tommy-feeney
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