Islandeady devastated by tragic death of local girl

‘IN SHOCK’ Fr Pat Donnellan, PP, Islandeady, has described the tragedy as ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.

Edwin McGreal

The community of Islandeady is ‘rallying around’ the grief stricken parents of an eight-year-old girl who was killed in a farm accident at her home yesterday (Tuesday).
Young Jessica Needham died in the afternoon as a result of injuries sustained in the tragic accident, which involved a tractor. Local Parish Priest Fr Pat Donnellan has spoken of the sense of shock in the area.
“Everyone in the community is devastated, shaken. The community is rallying around the family, as always happens,” Fr Donnellan told The Mayo News this morning. He was speaking just before leaving to call to the Needham home to help with funeral arrangements.
Jessica was the eldest of two daughters of Pat and Michelle Needham of Lismolin, Islandeady, an area just off the main Castlebar to Westport road.
She was one of four quadruplets born eight years ago, and the only one to survive.  
“Four of them were born, but two girls and a boy died at birth. Jessica’s middle name was Amy, the name of one of her sisters who did not survive,” said Fr Donnellan.
“She was a beautiful child, a healthy, happy, smiley child. She was with her mother and her sister, Grace, aged six, at the Islandeady Festival Fun Run last Saturday morning.
“Her parents are great people. Her granny, Mag Needham, who lives next door, is a lovely person,” added Fr Donnellan.
Jessica was, he said, about to go into second class in Cloggernagh NS in Islandeady and was preparing to make her First Holy Communion.
“She was in church every Sunday. Having baptised Jessica, I never thought I would be doing her burial rights before her first Holy Communion.
“What happened is every parent’s worst nightmare. It was such an unfortunate thing to happen. Everyone is in shock. Both families are devastated,” added Fr Donnellan.
A Health and Safety Authority investigation into the farm accident is taking place.


Jessica’s remains will be reposing at St Aidan’s Room, Islandeady, on Thursday evening from 5.30pm with removal at 8pm to her residence. Removal from her residence will be on on Friday to St Patrick’s Church, Islandeady, for funeral Mass at 11am, with burial afterwards in Islandeady Cemetery.