File photo: quad safety demonstration at Ballyhaise Agricultural College. An inquest heard that a farmer died after his quad overturned on a slope.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pat O'Connor, the coroner for Mayo district who conducted the inquest on Monday, has told the Irish Farmers Journal that a safety drive similar to that applied to tractors in the past should now target quads.
"There were no cabs or roll bars on tractors," Mr O'Connor said in reference to farm machinery standards a few decades ago. "A number of farmers died in accidents when tractors overturned."
As quads are now more widely used in farming and other outdoor businesses as well as recreationally, Mr O'Connor pointed out that "there is nothing to protect the driver of the quad if, as in this case, the quad topples over."
ADVERTISEMENT
The jury in the inquest into the death of farmer Michael Anthony O'Malley at Ballyheane near Castlebar last September found that the fatality was an accident. The quad he was driving on an incline overturned and Mr O'Malley "couldn't extricate himself after it landed on him," Mr O'Connor explained.
Aside from roll bars, the coroner said quad drivers should be provided with better safety instructions. "I'm not suggesting for a moment there should be over-regulation, but at least guidelines," he said.
Legislation provides for coroners' courts to make recommendations. However, they are not binding unless politicians decide to change rules as a result.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Pat O'Connor, the coroner for Mayo district who conducted the inquest on Monday, has told the Irish Farmers Journal that a safety drive similar to that applied to tractors in the past should now target quads.
"There were no cabs or roll bars on tractors," Mr O'Connor said in reference to farm machinery standards a few decades ago. "A number of farmers died in accidents when tractors overturned."
As quads are now more widely used in farming and other outdoor businesses as well as recreationally, Mr O'Connor pointed out that "there is nothing to protect the driver of the quad if, as in this case, the quad topples over."
The jury in the inquest into the death of farmer Michael Anthony O'Malley at Ballyheane near Castlebar last September found that the fatality was an accident. The quad he was driving on an incline overturned and Mr O'Malley "couldn't extricate himself after it landed on him," Mr O'Connor explained.
Aside from roll bars, the coroner said quad drivers should be provided with better safety instructions. "I'm not suggesting for a moment there should be over-regulation, but at least guidelines," he said.
Legislation provides for coroners' courts to make recommendations. However, they are not binding unless politicians decide to change rules as a result.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS