Farmer, 73, found dead lying next to his tractor

GARDAÍ are investigating the tragic death of a 73-year-old farmer after an incident involving his tractor.

Father-of-three Michael O’Loughlin was found collapsed by the vehicle near his home at Moanreel, Ennistymon in north Clare.

The incident, which is being treated as a tragic accident, happened at around 6pm on Thursday, minutes after Mr O’Loughlin was last seen driving his tractor towards a gate.

Shortly afterwards, family members saw Mr O’Loughlin lying on the ground near his vehicle and ran to his aid.

The alarm was raised and an ambulance along with two units of the fire brigade from Ennistymon were sent to the scene.

Efforts to resuscitate the popular local man were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí are investigating the tragedy and believe Mr O’Loughlin may have fallen backwards out of the tractor, onto the ground.

It’s understood the victim sustained a head injury in the fall.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Friday morning at University Hospital Limerick and, although the results have not been released, it’s understood there was no indication that the tractor had struck or rolled over Mr O’Loughlin.

One possibility being investigated by gardaí is whether Mr O’Loughlin suffered a medical episode before falling from the vehicle.

A Garda spokesman confirmed: ‘We are treating this incident as a tragic accident.

‘We are investigating the tragedy and will prepare a file for the county coroner who will hold an inquest in due course.’

Mr O’Loughlin is survived by his wife Maureen, sons Joe and Paul, and his daughter Síle.