A rural Co Armagh community has been left in a state of shock following the tragic passing of a well-known farmer.
Seamus Conroy passed away in hospital on Wednesday morning following a farming accident on the Tassagh Road outside Keady on Saturday, September 25.
It is understood Mr Conroy had been mixing slurry at the time.
A spokesperson for the NI Ambulance Service said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 3.02pm on Saturday, September 25, following reports of an incident in the Tassagh Road area of Keady.
“NIAS despatched one Emergency crew and one HART Officer and one Rapid Response Paramedic to the scene. The charity Air Ambulance with HEMs crew on board was also tasked to the incident.
“Following assessment and initial treatment, one patient was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.”
A police spokesperson confirmed the tragic news this evening.
He said: “A man has died in hospital today (Wednesday) following an incident at a farm in the Keady area on Saturday, September 25.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”
Mr Conroy was the loving husband of Liz and cherished father of Ursula, Clare, Lisa and Patrick. Beloved son of Teresa and the late Paddy.
Local Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon has spoken of the sadness in the local community.
He said: “Seamus Conroy, or Seamie as he would have been known by everyone, was one of life’s great characters. He was decent to the core, he was a genuine, hard working and well respected family man.
“The Conroy family are one of Tassagh and indeed Granemore’s oldest families. They are at the heart of the community and no matter what was going on, they are there giving their all. Be it community, sport or farming life, they are deep-rooted in our community.
“Seamie was no different. He worked hard on his family farm, both night and day. He was a great neighbour, you really couldn’t have asked for better.
“And if you didn’t know him personally, and you travelled the road from Keady to Tassagh or beyond and got stuck in traffic because of cattle being moved at milking time, Seamie was there, that was him.
“There is a dark cloud over this area tonight. Whilst we are devastated by his death, we just cannot imagine the grief and loss his wife and family are going through. Our hearts go out to them at this very difficult time.”
Hundreds of tributes have poured in on social media, with one woman describing Seamus as “an absolute gentleman who was always full of laughter and a joy to be around”.
“Seamy you will be missed terribly,” she added.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed and all enquiries are being directed to Mone Funeral Directors 02837531236/07849293472.
His passing is deeply regretted by his loving wife, son, daughters, grandchildren Maeve and Feìlim, brothers Malachy, Michael and Brian, sisters Rosemary and Breege, son in law Darren, nieces, nephews and the entire family circle.
