A POPULAR west Co Cork farmer who was left paralysed after being gored by a bull in 2004 was laid to rest yesterday after he died suddenly at his home last week following a five-year battle to overcome his injuries.
On August 21st, 2004, Tadhg Kingston, from Clonakilty, Co Cork, had 70 cows gathered in his yard for milking, and was to move heifers to the next paddock.
However, a previously docile bull unexpectedly charged towards him and he was tossed into the air. The fall broke his neck, paralysing him from the neck down.
Initially it was unclear whether Mr Kingston, who was in his 40s and a father of three, would survive as he suffered multiple cardiac arrests.
He was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he spent eight weeks.
He was subsequently transferred to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire, where he remained for a further nine months.
Mr Kingston’s accident was devastating for himself, his wife Ann and their three children Ross (10) Cormac (9) and Rebecca (7).
His first time home in almost a year was in May 2005 for Cormac’s First Holy Communion.
Mr Kingston died suddenly last week at his home in Ferlihanes in Rossmore, Clonakilty.
At Mr Kingston’s funeral Mass yesterday, tributes were paid to his immense courage in the face of considerable adversity. Mourners heard how he bravely fought his injuries and picked up the pieces of his life.
He was laid to rest yesterday following 11.30am Mass at St Mary’s church in Rossmore.
His remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining the church.