An annual remembrance service to pay tribute to the victims of farm accidents and their families took place in Abbeyleix, Co Laois on Sunday. The service, which is now in its third year, was organised by the Embrace Farm organisation.

Some 350 people attended the non-denominational service, where lists of people who died on Irish farms were read out.

The great and the good from the agriculture sector attended. Farmer leaders including European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, IFA president Joe Healy, Ulster Farmers’ Union president Barclay Bell, Gerry Boyle of Teagasc, former Ireland rugby international John Hayes, Fiona Muldoon from FBD and Peter Farrelly from the Association of Farm Contractors were all there to pay their respects.

The Department of Agriculture was represented by Junior Minister Andrew Doyle and chief inspector Bill Callanan. Agriculture Minister Michael Creed was unable to attend due to a meeting in Brussels.

The Embrace Farm organisation was founded by husband and wife Brian and Norma Rohan from Co Laois. Brian lost his father as a result of a farm accident in 2012 and the Rohans felt that there was lack of support for farm families who have suffered bereavements.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal on Sunday, Norma Rohan said she was heartened to see so many families attend the service.

“We are in our third year now and we are seeing some new faces attend each year as well as others returning. Regardless of when a farm death has taken place – be it five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago – it’s still hard to deal with even after all that time. It’s about families sharing and connecting with people who have similar stories,” Rohan said.