21-04-2025
Funeral of young farmer killed in crash hears he was a ‘likeable rascal' who always had a ‘beaming smile'
Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly of Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim died when the tractor he was a passenger in was involved in a single vehicle collision on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen, on Tuesday afternoon, April 15, 2025, at approximately 3.10pm.
The funeral of a young farmer who died in a crash in Co Leitrim has heard he was a 'likeable rascal' who always had a 'beaming smile'.
Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly of Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim died when the tractor he was a passenger in was involved in a single vehicle collision on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen, on Tuesday afternoon, April 15, 2025, at approximately 3.10pm.
Mr O'Kelly was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The male driver, who is also aged in his late teens, was taken to Cavan Hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr O'Kelly was the son of Gene and Teresa O'Kelly and a brother to Clara.
He was a former pupil of Drumeela National School and Carrigallen Vocational School.
Most recently, he was studying an agricultural course at Ballyhaise College.
On Easter Sunday afternoon, the bells of St. Mary's Church, Drumeela rang out as the remains of Mr O'Kelly were brought to the church for his funeral mass.
The funeral mass was led by Carrigallen Parish Priest, Fr John McMahon and was concelebrated by Fr Sean Mawn.
Among the large crowd of mourners were his heartbroken family, his many friends, his girlfriend Chloe, neighbours, members of his school communities, work colleagues and the wider Carrigallen community.
At the beginning of the Mass, a number of symbols representing Mr O'Kelly's life were brought forward to the altar.
A photograph of Mr O'Kelly represented shared moments and memories of him, a rosette that he won for a sheep competition at Ballinamore Agriculture Festival and a tractor represented his love of farming, while a mobile phone represented his connection with his family and friends.
Carrigallen Parish Priest, Fr John McMahon said the news of Mr O'Kelly's death at such a young age had brought a 'terrible shock' to his family, friends and the wider community.
During the homily, Fr McMahon said Mr O'Kelly had a deep love of farming and every day he finished in school, was 'a day closer to doing what he loved.'
'Working with the sheep and cattle and driving the tractor.
'Finally the day came, he could throw the schoolbag in the corner and he could leave the theory behind and get into the practical side of things.
'This short life on earth that he enjoyed was just given to him for a short while – he was taken from his parents, his sister, his grandmother, his girlfriend, his relations and all of his friends on Tuesday afternoon.
'Your lives were thrown upside down in a matter of minutes.
'Just a few months ago we all experienced the power cuts in the wake of Storm Éowyn - the lights went out and we were left floundering in darkness.
'A sudden death is like that – without warning or a chance to prepare – we are plunged into the darkness of grief,' said Fr McMahon.
Fr McMahon said over the past few days people have spoken of how words were 'woefully inadequate' to try and express comfort to the family.
However, he said the presence of the community during this difficult time, was a great source of comfort and support to the O'Kelly family.
Recalling memories of Mr O'Kelly, Fr McMahon said at school he was a 'practical joker'.
'Dessie was a well known and popular young man who lived life to the full.
'He had always that beaming smile that would disarm any difficult situation.
'He was loved by his friends and that was evident by the way they came in such numbers to visit the family.
'One of the teachers said one time he asked her to excuse himself from her class because he had booked his father's cattle into the mart.
'I also believe he was the bane of the caretaker's life because he would remove a certain door in the school and hide it.
'These are some of the memories we know of Dessie, that likeable rascal,' said Fr McMahon.
Prayers of the Faithful were said for Mr O'Kelly's family, the emergency services who attended the scene and the Carrigallen community.
Mr O'Kelly's remains were taken from the church to the adjoining cemetery for burial.
Mr O'Kelly is survived by his parents Gene and Teresa, his sister Clara (Liam) and his girlfriend Chloe, his grandmother Moira O' Rourke, aunts, uncles, cousins, grand-uncle, grand-aunts and his many friends.
Mr O'Kellys death notice reads, "The death has occurred of Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly, Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, following a traffic accident."
