Tributes were paid today to father of two Cathal O'Malley (45) from Co Galway, killed when his horse fell on him during a competitive hunter trials event.
Mr O'Malley, originally from Ballinasloe and who ran a restaurant in Athenry with his wife Fiona, was an experienced rider and member of the Galway Blazers Hunt. He was taking part in hunter trials at Annaharvey Farm in Tullamore when the accident happened. The couple have two sons, four-year-old Darragh and baby Gavan born two weeks ago.
Mr O'Malley was fatally injured when his horse somersaulted and fell on top of him after catching one of the 18 fences on the course. Order of Malta personnel were on the scene within minutes and he was rushed to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore where he was pronounced dead.
Master of the Galway Blazers Tom Dempsey described Mr O'Malley as a considerate gentleman who would be greatly missed by all of his colleagues.
“He’d come out regularly hunting with us. His favourite time of the year . . . was the autumn hunting when we’d be down in the woods training the young hounds and training our horses. Cathal was so generous and so helpful . . . That’s my abiding memory of Cathal – his politeness and general helpfulness when we’d be out.”
Members of the Brosna Foxhounds, who organised Sunday’s event in Tullamore, were also coming to terms with the tragedy. Up to 150 riders had taken part, and a spokesperson said there had never been an accident like it before.
Mr O’Malley’s funeral is expected to take place this week.