Mourners converge on community centre to pay respects to tragic farmer

Áine Ryan

OVER one thousand mourners had descended from every direction on Ballyglass Community Centre yesterday evening by 5pm – one hour after the centre opened –  to pay their respects to the family of the late Patrick Quinn. He died after a tragic farm accident on Saturday last. A bachelor in his early 50s, Pat Junior, as he was known locally, was standing on a draw-bar of a tractor and trailer that was gathering bales of silage last Saturday morning when the tragic accident occurred on lands rented by the family in Clogher.
While he was rushed to Mayo University Hospital by ambulance, his injuries proved fatal and he died later.  
Speaking to The Mayo News last night, local Fianna FΡil councillor, Al McDonnell said the reposing time in the community centre had been opened earlier than scheduled because of the huge number of mourners who wanted to sympathise with this ‘most affable, personable, popular, highly respected and extremely united family’.
“There is a terrible cloud over Ballyglass since the weekend,” Cllr McDonnell said. “As far as I understand Pat was standing on the draw-bar, which was hitched to a trailer as they collected the bales of silage. The family had started work early on Saturday morning as they are big Mayo GAA fans and had planned to go to the match in Newbridge later that day.”  
Pat Quinn Jnr was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Ann, Francis, Mary, Michael, Noreen, Paul, Carmel, Damian and Noel, as well as nephews and nieces, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law. His remains reposed at Ballyglass Community Centre yesterday evening evening. Burial will take place this afternoon in Guesdian Cemetery, following Requiem Mass at 12 noon in St Gerald’s Church, Mayo Abbey.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.