Parents will spend Christmas Eve burying tragic son: farmer’s funeral details confirmed

Ciaran Devlin, a farmer in the Armoy area of north Antrim, died on Monday after being taken to hospital with head injuries after coming off the vehicle.

The PSNI revealed the news of his death publicly today.

The tragedy unfolded some time before 3.50pm on Sunday in an extremely rural part of the far north-east of the Province – the Ballyvennaght Road.

The air ambulance helicopter was tasked to the scene, along with other emergency services.

There was no mention of another vehicle being involved in the crash.

However, the PSNI say that they want to speak to anyone who saw Mr Devlin prior to the accident, at around 3.50pm (they are asked to call 101 and quote 1202 of 20/12/20).

Padraig McShane, an independent councillor for the area, said: “Ciaran Devlin was a popular individual who always enhanced any company he was in.

“A hard working man who was often seen with his father and other farmers in the Glens. The loss of Ciaran will resonate all the more powerfully owing to his popularity.”

He said that he was particularly involved with beef and sheep farming.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein councillor for the area Cara McShane, who gave his age as 43, said: “He’d have been well-known in farming circles, and was a great worker and well-respected.

“It’s part of our culture, part of the grieving process, the traditional wake and funeral. And that can’t be done the normal way.

“That makes it more difficult for the family.

“It’s not the days ahead, it’s the weeks and months when there’s an absent person at the table, and that’s very, very difficult.”

A notice from undertakers PJ Dallat said he was the “much loved son of Arthur (Olcan) and Mary and loving brother of Patricia, Bronagh, Clodagh, Mary Lou and Ollie”.

The funeral will be from his late residence on at 10.30am on Christmas Eve, for Requiem Mass in St Olcans Church, Armoy, at 11am, with burial in adjoining graveyard.

It adds that “sadly due to the current situation and government restrictions the wake and funeral is strictly private, however those wishing to pay their respects may do so by lining the cortege route whilst adhering to social distancing”.

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