A woman died in a hunting accident over the weekend in Co. Tipperary.

The woman, Maria O’Grady – who was the wife of Edward O’Grady, a well-known horse trainer – died on Saturday morning, according to local publication The Tipperary Star.

A mother of two from Ballymackey, Co. Tipperary, she was 61 years old. It is believed that O’Grady was fatally injured from a fall from her horse on the hunting field.

Her husband Edward, who reportedly trains at Killeen Stables in Ballynonty, is believed to be Ireland’s third most successful trainer at Cheltenham having trained a total of 18 winners.

Funeral details have been announced; she will be reposing at her home in Ballynonty this evening, Monday, November 27, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The funeral Mass will take place in the Church of St. Joseph the Worker, Moyglass, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28, at 11:30am followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Embrace FARM conference

Embrace FARM held a conference for farm accident survivors on Saturday in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. One of the key issues discussed on the day was the financial fall-out as a result of sustaining serious injuries in farm accidents.

Dairy farmer Liam O’Keeffe from Ballydesmond in north Cork, told of how an attack by a bull in June 2007 left him lucky to escape with his life. He estimated that he lost €27,000 that year.

Brian Rohan of Embrace FARM pointed to plans to downgrade the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, and urged the farming community to oppose any plans to reduce services at hospitals around the country.