Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 29781Death (farming accident) · Co. Longford · 28 May 2020

Accidental death verdict recorded for Longford farmer killed in plough accident

John Harte, 56, was killed on 28 May 2020 at Aughnavalley, Colehill, Longford, when a 41-year-old tractor plough collapsed on him after its hydraulics system failed while he was replacing shears. His wife Maura found him trapped under the plough and he was pronounced dead shortly before 9pm. An inquest heard that no prosecution under health and safety legislation was deemed necessary. County Coroner Dr Niall Donohoe recorded a verdict of accidental death.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Harte, 56, was killed when a tractor plough collapsed on him after the hydraulics system failed while he was replacing shears.
Where
The incident occurred at Aughnavalley, Colehill, Longford.
When
The incident occurred on 28 May 2020 and he was pronounced dead shortly before 9pm.
Other details
  • The tractor was 41 years old.
  • His wife Maura found him trapped under the plough.
  • He was a father of four.
In court
  • No prosecution under health and safety legislation was deemed necessary.
  • A verdict of accidental death was recorded by County Coroner Dr Niall Donohoe.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Harte, 56, was killed when a tractor plough collapsed on him after the hydraulics system failed (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe was attempting to replace shears on the plough when it collapsed (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHis wife Maura found him trapped under the plough (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe tractor was 41 years old (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Aughnavalley, Colehill, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 28 May 2020 (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenHe was pronounced dead shortly before 9pm (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtNo prosecution under health and safety legislation was deemed necessary (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA verdict of accidental death was recorded by County Coroner Dr Niall Donohoe (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe was a father of four (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Oct2021
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford farmer killed after tractor’s hydraulics fail, causing plough to collapse

    Inquest report detailing the fatal farm accident, the HSA investigation findings, and the accidental death verdict.

    victim, John Harte, 56, male, irish (judged from name)John Harte