'Loving' mum-of-five drowns in river as bid to save sheep goes tragically wrong

03 December 2023 , 10:09

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Ms Tangney was described as "loving" and "warm-hearted" by local councillors

Tributes are pouring in after a “loving” Irish mother-of-five tragically drowned in a horror accident as she bravely tried to rescue her livestock.

Mary Tangney, 74, was found in a County Kerry river shortly after 11am on Friday, December 1, near the Gap of Dunloe in Beaufort. Ms Tangney was pronounced dead after attempts were made to save her life at the scene.

It is believed that Ms Tangney, née Dennehy, was attempting to rescue her sheep when the tragedy occurred - seemingly because they had found themselves stuck in the river. The Black Valley resident has been described as “beautiful” and “warm-hearted” as local councillors weighed in on her tragic passing.

Local councillor Patrick Connor-Scarteen, of the Fine Gael party, said it is “shocking and very sad” to hear of Ms Tangney’s untimely death. "This is a very close-knit community where everyone looks out for one another,” he continued. “Sheep farming would be one of the main occupations in this world-wide famous location. My sympathies are with this poor woman’s family and also to her neighbours and friends right now.”

Ms Tangney drowned in a river in the Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry, Ireland (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Another local councillor, Michael Cahill of Fianna Fáil, described Ms Tangney as a “very warm-hearted and loving” person, the Irish Mirror reported. "Mary was a beautiful woman who was well known, highly regarded and respected. My deepest sympathies are with her family, friends and neighbours.

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“This tragedy has occurred so close to Christmas which only adds to the devastation her loved ones must be going through right now,” Cahill added. Kerry IFA Chairman Kenneth Jones also offered his sympathy, saying he was "very saddened to hear of Ms Tangney’s tragic passing’’.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has confirmed that they are investigating the tragedy. Ms Tangney’s death is the third farming tragedy in the past fortnight following the recent farming tragedies in Wexford and Carlow. Mary Tangney is survived by her husband Eugene (Genie) and children Karen, Patie, Niall, Eugene and Donnacha.

According to the Department of Agriculture over the past decade there are on average 19 workplace fatalities on Irish farms each year accounting for two in every five workplace fatalities. Almost one in five farm fatalities involved livestock.

Alex Croft