A DAD died yesterday after being kicked in the head by a horse – in front of his showjumper daughter. Horse owner Tom O’Dwyer, 56, suffered fatal injuries in the accident at Ballintaggrt near Ballingarry on the County Tipperary/Kilkenny border.
Tom O’Dwyer’s daughter Emma witnessed the tragedy. Mr O’Dwyer, of Callan, Co Kilkenny, had been out walking the horse with his daughter Emma when the tragedy happened. Last night relatives were being comforted by family and friends.
Local councillor Imelda Goldsboro, who is friends with the family, told the Irish Sun: “There is a dark cloud over the area. Tom has been involved with horses all his life. It is a huge tragedy for the O’Dwyer family. They were out walking the horse at the time. Emma was in front of the horse, Tom was at the back, and the horse kicked out. It is so tragic. He loved the horses, he died doing what he loved.”
The tragedy happened close to Ballingarry
Emergency services were called but the father-of-one was pronounced dead at the scene.
Imelda paid tribute to her pal, adding: “Tom was a gentleman.