The death of a well known Roscommon farmer at the beginning of the year has been officially ruled an accident.
David Duke from Mosshill, Corkeenagh in Strokestown died tragically on the 27th of January, when a tree he was cutting down with his son collapsed on top of him.
An inquest into his death took place this week at the Ballaghaderreen Court House, in Roscommon before Deputy County Coroner Brian O'Connor.
The local farmer, who was in his late 40s, was attaching rope to the top of the tree to pull it down, when it collapsed awkwardly, pinning him.
According to the post mortem examination, he was killed instantly.
In a statement read to the inquest, the HSA confirmed that following an investigation, the incident was deemed not to be a workplace accident.
It was noted that David Duke had been doing similar work all his life, with this instance ending in tragedy.
Following a ruling of accidental death, the County Coroner along with a representative of Roscommon Gardaí expressed their sympathy to David's wife and two children.
