'An absolute tragedy' - Funeral details announced for woman who died in bee sting accident

Tributes have poured in following the tragic death of Kathleen Devine after she passed away following a suspected allergic reaction to bee stings on Monday.

Kathleen, a beekeeper from Knockmore, Ballina, county Mayo, was believed to be helping a friend harvest honey from a bee hive when the incident happened.

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It's understood Kathleen, who was in her 70s, was wearing a protective suit while helping her friend alongside her husband Des, but one or more bees got into her suit and stung her.

Kathleen's death has left the Mayo community in shock and mourning with her being described as " a lovely lady who will be missed by all who knew her".

Gardaí and the emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 5:40pm on Monday evening where Kathleen was then air lifted to Sligo general hospital where she sadly passed away.

A local man, who didn't wish to be identified, said that people rushed to the scene to help but they were also stung. He has described the incident as "deeply shocking and traumatic".

Jude Walsh, a member of Ballina Beekeepers Mayo of which Kathleen was also a member, has said she was "a lovely woman and they are a lovely family. Everyone is so sad and upset.

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Local Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus has described the incident as an "absolute tragedy", adding, "It is so hard to understand. Even in their darkest hour, the people in the community did their absolute best to help.

"Once people found out the rushed there with a defibrillator, but sadly it wasn't to be. She was down there looking after bees, which were obviously very important to her. From what I have heard, she was a lovely woman who looked after people all her life.

"It is hard to find the words in situations like this, but everyone is so sad for the family."

Funeral Arrangements

Kathleen is deeply regretted by her heartbroken husband Des, sons Desmond and Brian, and daughter Helen, brothers Gerry, Michael & Peter, sisters Ann, Una & Bernie, daughter-in-law Alina, son-in-law Neil, grandchildren Alana, Fionn, Kilian & Liam, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at her Residence Tonybane, Knockmore (Eircode F26 TD39) on Thursday from 2pm until 8pm.

Funeral will arrive to the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore on Friday for Requiem Mass at 12noon followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Knockmore.