Tributes paid to teenager who died after Leitrim tractor collision

Sean Ryan and Vivienne Clarke

Tributes have been paid to a teenager who died following a single-vehicle tractor collision in Co Leitrim.

The victim has been named as Dessie O’Kelly (18), an agricultural student from Drumluna, Leitrim.

He was travelling as a passenger in the tractor that was involved in the collision at about 3.10pm on Tuesday.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen to come forward.

Mr O’Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the tractor, also a male in his late teens, was taken to Cavan General Hospital for injuries believed to be non-life threatening. A technical examination was being carried out at the scene on Tuesday evening.

Fianna Fáil councillor Paddy O’Rourke paid tribute to Mr O’Kelly, who he said was raised on a farm and had a big interest in farming.

Mr O’Rourke said the news came as a “massive shock”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with that of the other young man who was injured,” he said.

Local parish priest Fr John McMahon said he knew Mr O’Kelly well as an altar server who had a great outgoing personality. He said the “thoughts of the community are with the O’Kelly family”.

“We think of his father Gene and mother Teresa and sister Clara. This is a very heavy cross for any family, particularly in Holy week,” he said.

The death brings to 48 the number of people killed on Irish roads this year. It comes a week after Michael Coffey (14) was killed in Co Kerry after being struck by a tractor while fishing with his father.