Tributes paid to ‘real gentleman’ killed in Newtowncunningham farm accident

A Newtowncunningham man who died in an accident on his farm has been described as a “real gentleman”.

John Roulston, who was aged in his 60s, died in an accident which occurred at around 1pm on Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched an investigation. Gardaí said a file will be prepared for the coroner's court.

The dairy farmer, of Moneymore Little, Newtowncunningham, worked on his family’s farm.

County chairman of the Donegal branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Joe Sweeney, said Mr  Roulston was “well-known and well-respected and just a real gentleman”.

“John was probably the soundest fella you could meet,” Mr Sweeney said.

“A mighty worker, he was always on the road and you would meet him coming with the tractors and the feeders. He just worked and worked and he never took anything for granted. It was a freak accident and it really brings home  how fragile we all are that are involved in farming, because John would have done all that work every day and it was just one of those freak things.”  

Mr Roulston, he said, was from a farming family that is “known all over Ireland”.

The community in the Newtowncunningham area “is dumbfounded” by the death, Mr Sweeney said.

“It’s a big shock to everyone in that local community when something like that happens - a sudden death that you do not expect. For the farming community, it sends tremors through them as you just realise how fragile it is.”

The IFA’s county AGM which was to take place on Wednesday night has been adjourned as a mark of respect.

Mr Roulston is survived by his wife Susan and daughters  Louise, Helen and Emily; his grandson William; brothers Keith and George and sisters Valerie, Alison and Sylvia.

His remains will repose at his home from 2pm on Wednesday, February 26 and from 12pm on Thursday. His funeral will leave his home on Friday, February 28 at 12.30pm for 1pm Service of Thanksgiving in Newtowncunningham Presbyterian Church followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard.