By Sean Moriarty

There was an air of sadness around Killarney when news spread that local man Willie Leahy died in a tragic farm accident.

Willie (73) and his wife Anne ran the Avondale House B&B on the Tralee Road for the last 30 years – only retiring from the business after this year’s summer season.

A former ESB worker, in retirement Willie turned his attention to farming in his native Brosna.

Unfortunately he fell from a ladder while tending trees there last Friday evening and died as a result of his injuries.

“He was a hard-working man who loved nature and animals,” his son Kevin told the Killarney Advertiser.

“He was proud of his kids and we were proud of him. It is a warning that people need to take care while working alone in farms.”

Willie was laid to rest on Tuesday in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery following his Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.

He is survived by his wife Anne, four children, Nicola, Noel, Caroline and Kevin, his four grandchildren, extended family and friends.