Farm Accident Remembrance Service
FTMTA is supporting the inaugural Embrace Farming Accident Remembrance Service for the victims of farm accidents which will take place in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, on Sunday, June 29th, at 2pm.
An ecumenical service will be celebrated at the Most Holy Rosary Church by clergy led by Bishop Denis Nulty (RC) supported by Bishop Michael Burrows (Church of Ireland) with keynote speakers from agri organisations, counsellors and families directly impacted by farming accidents at an event in the Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix, directly after the service.
Four international rugby players with farming links (Rory Best of Ulster, Sean O’Brien of Leinster, John Hayes of Munster and John Muldoon of Connacht) will be Provincial Ambassadors for Embrace and will also take part in the service.
The service is being organised by Brian and Norma Rohan of Shanahoe who were made forcefully aware of the reality of farming accidents following the death of Brian’s father, Liam, in a farm accident in June, 2012.
Brian says “we quickly came to realise that there is little or no support available to families that have lost loved ones by way of emotional, practical, business, legal and financial advice. Our aim is to create more awareness of farm safety. We hope to do this by growing EMBRACE FARM (Farming Accidents – Remembered & Missed) as a support group for all those affected by farming accidents.”
Families are encouraged to contact EMBRACE with names of their loved ones who have died from a farming accident so their names can be read out on the day. EMBRACE can be contacted at embrace.farm@gmail.com or at 085 7709966.
FTMTA is a long time advocate of increased attention to farm safety, particularly in relation to the use of farm machinery, and it is appropriate at this time to reiterate the calls made by the Association over the years for those involved in working with agricultural machinery to be conscious of, and proactive in relation to, the safety of themselves and others. FTMTA call on those active in agriculture and using agricultural machinery to be mindful of their safety and that of other people. Small, practical steps can easily be taken to make the everyday use of farm machinery safer.
Be a part of a stronger farm machinery industry – join the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association – contact FTMTA at 045 409309 or membership@ftmta.ie for details.
