LAST UPDATE | 16 Apr 2025

A TEENAGER WHO died in a single-vehicle tractor crash in Co Leitrim yesterday afternoon has been named locally as Dessie O’Kelly.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after the male passenger, aged in his late teens, died at the scene of the incident on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen at approximately 3.10pm on Tuesday.

Speaking to Shannonside FM this morning, parish priest Fr John McMahon described Dessie as outgoing, helpful and “a great young fellow”.

“On behalf of the whole community here, I want to express my condolences to the O’Kelly family,” he said.

Dessie had recently graduated from Carraigallen Vocational School in Leitrim and was undertaking an agricultural course in the area to take his Green cert at Ballyhaise Agricultural College.

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Paddy O’Rourke, told RTÉ News that the community has been “numbed and shocked” by the tragedy, which has left a “very dark cloud over the parish”.

The male driver, also aged in his late teens, was brought to Cavan General Hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening, according to gardaí.

Investigators from the Garda Forensic Collision unit carried out technical examinations at the scene and the road was closed for a period of time.

Any witnesses are asked to come forward and gardaí are appealing for any road users who were in the area between 2.30pm and 3.30pm yesterday to make any footage available to gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Carrick-on-Shannon on (071) 9650510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.