Tributes to Mayo woman who died in tragic incident
The late Kathleen Devine.
The woman who died in a tragic incident in North Mayo has been named locally as Kathleen Devine.
Mrs Devine, of Tonybane, Knockmore, Ballina and late of Circular Road, Ballina, died after sustaining multiple stings from a swarm of bees in Ballycastle on Monday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 5.40pm on Monday. The woman was brought by the Coast Guard’s Rescue 118 helicopter to Sligo University Hospital.
It is understood Mrs Devine, who is aged in her 70s, and her husband had been helping a friend to collect honey from a hive when the incident happened.
Neighbours rushed to assist the woman as soon as they became aware of the situation. A number were also stung as they to attempted to come to her aid.
An award-winning honey maker, Mrs Devine had won numerous prizes for her honey at various agricultural shows countrywide along with her husband Des.
Only last month, they had showcased their produce at the Bonniconlon Agricultural Show.
The show’s chairman, John O’Hara, described how beekeeping was “a labour of love” for the popular couple.
“We are all shocked by what has happened and our committee extends its deepest sympathy to the Devine family, their relatives and friends,” he said.
Knockmore councillor Joe Faughnan said the community is in “shock”.
“There is just complete shock when something like that happens which is so rare and unexpected.” “It’s just a terrible tragedy,” he told the Western People.
One tributes were also paid to a “lovely person” who had previously worked as a nurse.
The Department of Transport said the Coast Guard at Malin Head, Co Donegal, received an alert about incident on Monday afternoon.
“The Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was tasked to the scene. One on-scene casualty was assisted and transferred by helicopter to Sligo University Hospital,” the department said.
