The dog of a woman killed by a falling tree branch refused to leave her side until passers-by discovered her body, The Mirror reports.
Stayed the Whole Time
Farmer and local historian Mary O’Shea, in her early 60s, was pinned by a falling tree branch at her home in the Irish village of Piltown. She was last seen on Friday morning (Nov. 18) before being found on Saturday evening – it’s believed that she died later on Friday.
“The dog stayed by her side the whole time,” a source said told The Mirror. Pat Dunphy, a local politician, said that everyone in the area was shocked by the death of O’Shea, who was joint treasurer at the South Kilkenny Historical Society. “I would like to pass on my sympathy and those of the people of Piltown to her relations,” he said, “She was a very popular woman. She worked on her farm and also had a strong knowledge of local history. It was very sad”.
The police confirmed an investigation into the death after ambulance services called them for assistance. However, sources said that foul play had been ruled out, with O’Shea’s death a tragic accident.
Big Community Influence
Locals were quick to pay their respects to O’Shea, with parish priest Father Paschal Moore among those paying tribute. “She lived alone but she was very much involved in community life. She was a local historian and wrote a book on the area a few years ago,” he said.
He continued: “She was a wonderful person and was a great help in the parish when tourists came looking for their family roots. She was always willing to help.
“And she was a very good friend. She will be missed in the community. Everybody is sad this morning.”
Eddie Synnott, also a member of the South Kilkenny Historical Society, paid tribute too. “She was a very good historian and was able to express her knowledge. She was also an intellectual and a wonderful woman,” he said.
