Open verdict recorded in ‘tragic’ death of Ballindine farmer

Open verdict recorded in ‘tragic’ death of Ballindine farmer

Anton McNulty

The family of a Ballindine farmer who died in tragic circumstances in a farm accident expressed their thanks to the local community for the support they showed them following the tradegy.
John Meehan (45) of Lisduff, Ballindine died in horrific circumstances when his body was found in a diet feeder on his farm last November after he was reported missing. The inquest into his death was heard in Castlebar yesterday and an open verdict was recorded.
Following the inquest, solicitor Tony Henry, who was representing the family expressed the families heart-felt appreciated to all the emergency services and to the local community for their support and comfort they gave and continue to give.
“John Meehan was a very popular man in the community and a hardworking family man who is sorely missed by his family and the community at large,” he said.
Coroner, John O’Dwyer added that society and friends had rallied around the family and did what had to be done.
Mr Meehan was reported missing by his wife Helen at 11pm on November 27, 2013 after he failed to return home from milking and feeding stock. She last saw him at 4pm and he was not answering his phone.
The inquest heard that when the farm yard was being searched his tractor was still running as was the diet feeder but there was no sign of John.
On the request of the gardaí, the fire service set up big lights where they were able to inspect the diet feeder where Mr Meehan’s body was found.
While it is assumed that Mr Meehan fell into the diet feeder, Mr John O’Dwyer, the Coroner for South Mayo, said they had no idea what happened to him and the appropriate verdict to record would be that of an open verdict.
“We have no idea how this happened,” Mr O’Dwyer said. “There is a huge gap of knowledge here, he was last seen at 4pm and it would not be unusual for a man with a lot of farm jobs to do to be out and about. This is a tragic situation in the circumstances….not knowing what actually happened.”
After the jury recorded an open verdict, Mr O’Dwyer expressed his sympathy to Mr Meehan’s family and added that inquests do not always have the answers families are looking for.
“We don’t know the circumstances of John’s death, all we know is he died sadly. If additional information arises, however remote that may be, the inquest cam always be reopened. We don’t have the full story and its remote if we ever find the full story.
“No words can comfort you….I hope the way we dealt with this [inquest] somehow minimised the trauma here today,” he said. Sergeant Tony Lavery of Claremorris Garda Station said he knew Mr Meehan personally and expressed sympathy to his family.