A special Embrace FARM Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday 28 June at 2pm in the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Abbeyleix for all those who lost their lives in farm accidents.
The second annual remembrance service organised by Embrace FARM, an organisation established to honour the memory of those who died and suffered serious injury in farm accidents and to support their next of kin, is expected to draw close on 800 parents, children, relations and friends of victims of tragic accidents from across the country.
Simon Coveney Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, rugby legend and farmer John Hayes, current Irish rugby international Sean O’Brien, industry representatives and clergy are just some of those who will be attending.
Brian Rohan pictured with his wife Norma and Brid Corkerey at the launch of Embrace Farm. Pic Don Moloney
The event is led by Embrace FARM founders Brian Rohan and his wife Norma, who launched the voluntary organisation last year in memory of Brian’s late father Liam who was killed following an accident on the family farm in Co. Laois in 2012.
Some 30 people lost their lives in farm accidents during 2014, an 87% increase on 2013. Seven people have already lost their lives on farms this year.
Announcing this year’s remembrance service Mr Rohan said, “When we were here last year we were hoping that we would see a major fall off in farm accidents but unfortunately the death toll continues. It’s a terrible emotional impact as well as a practical one.
“We founded the organisation principally to provide support to families, like ours, who find themselves trying to deal with the death of a loved one on a family farm. The remembrance service is the biggest opportunity of the year for us to do that as it enables people who have that tragic common experience to come together and share their sense of loss and, indeed, memory of their loved ones.”
Brian Rohan pictured with Brid Corkerey at the launch of Embrace Farm. Pic Don Moloney
The organisers have asked that those who want their loved one’s names read out to contact them on 085 7709966 or to email them at embrace.farm@gmail.com
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – 16/06/2015)