Diane Banville and her husband Kevin, fromNew Ross, Co Wexford, were planning celebrations for their first wedding anniversary when a tragic accident occurred on their farm.

Kevin (33) was found dead on St Patrick’s Day in 2013 and life changed dramatically for Diane and their two sons, Ryan and Cillian, aged two and five weeks old at the time. She spoke about her experience in front of 650 delegates at the Women and Agriculture Conference in Trim, Co Meath, this Thursday.

“I was looking forward to having a family photo taken of the three of us. Just 24 hours later, Kevin was dead. His name wasn’t even on Cillian’s birth cert,” she said.

“Bills still have to be paid”

Diane, who is a member of support group Embrace FARM, said it was difficult to cope practically in the aftermath of Kevin’s death.

“Farms are businesses and bills still have to be paid. They don’t go away,” she said. “Thankfully, with Embrace FARM, we have successfully lobbied for a liaison officer to help with the practical running of the farm.”

“I’m not from a farming background so it was difficult. Luckily, I had support from the farming community around me, but you still have to take responsibility for yourself.”

Kevin didn’t have a will and because the couple didn’t have a joint account, everything was frozen. Diane stressed the importance of making a will and having life assurance, even at a young age.

The emotional impact has been devastating and Diane worries about the future for her two boys.

“The greatest loss was from a mother’s point of view because the boys will grow up without a father. Cillian was only five weeks old and Ryan was two. It’s heartbreaking that they will never know him,” she said.

“They will always be the kids with no dad. How can you prepare them for that label?”

Meanwhile, national chairperson of IFA Family and Social Affairs Committee, Maura Canning, asked delegates to use the organisation’s Farm Safely Risk Assessment Statement. It can be downloaded on the IFA’s website.