A County Leitrim farmer died accidentally as a result of traumatic asphyxia after becoming trapped beneath a bale, an inquest has heard. Proceedings at Carrick-on-Shannon Coroner's Court today examined the circumstances surrounding the death of Fergus Geelan in February 2025. Fergus Geelan, of Drumard, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, died on the evening of February 4th, 2025. The court heard evidence from his wife, Christine Geelan, who described the day as entirely ordinary. After breakfast, Fergus carried out his usual routine of checking on the farm and would typically return around lunchtime for a cup of tea before returning to the farm.
At around 3pm, Christine and her daughter, Clodagh, went grocery shopping in Carrick-on-Shannon. Afterwards, they decided to bring Fergus home a takeaway meal. They tried calling him, but there was no answer — something Mrs Geelan said was not unusual. When they returned home, they found his mobile phone on the kitchen table, which was also not out of the ordinary. After placing his dinner in the oven to keep warm, Clodagh began searching for her father. She checked around the sheds and yard but could not find him. Mother and daughter then noticed the tractor was missing. They drove to a nearby area known to the family as "McHugh's", where bales were stored.
In her testimony, Clodagh Geelan said she saw a bale attached to the rear of a stationary tractor. As she got closer, she discovered her father trapped beneath it. She immediately called the emergency services, while Christine contacted neighbour Róisín McCauley, who had a defibrillator. Clodagh started the tractor and raised the bale, allowing her mother to pull Fergus clear. In a statement read to the court, Ms McCauley said she had difficulty locating the family because it was dark. Once she arrived, she used the defibrillator for around 30 minutes, during which five shocks were administered.
Garda David Finnegan, who attended the scene, told the court that the fire service and a first responder had also arrived. Despite their efforts, Mr Geelan was pronounced dead at 8.29pm. Health and Safety Authority Inspector Aidan Kelly, speaking on behalf of Inspector Niall Quinn, said Mr Geelan had become trapped beneath a bale attached to a bale spike on the rear of his red Massey Ferguson tractor. As there were no witnesses to the incident, it remains unclear how he came to be in that position. The tractor was switched off and the bale spike was lowered when he was found. Returning a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Fergal Kelly extended his sympathies to the Geelan family and stressed the importance of safety in farming and all workplaces.
