Man killed by bull at Burt named as Patrick Dowds

His twin brother George, who went to his assistance, was also attacked by the animal but has since been discharged from Lettekenny hospital.

The incident is said to have occurred around 2.30pm on Wednesday at Mr Dowds farm in Toulett, a townland on the Letterkenny side of Grianan fort near Burt.

Fine Gael Councillor John Ryan said: “There is absolute shock in the local community.

“Patrick was an absolute gentleman and someone who personally I was very fond of,” he said.

“We all know that farming can be a very dangerous industry to work in, but this just looks like a freak accident.”

Fianna Fáil Councillor Paul Canning said: “This is such a difficult time for the family and for the entire community.

“The men were hard-working farmers who were very well-respected in the community.

“They were simply going about their daily work when this awful tragedy visited them.

“It highlights the dangers that farmers face on a daily basis when they go about their work.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family at this time.”

Fr. Brendan Crowley, Parish Priest, at St Aengus’ in Burt said: “It is a very, very sad situation. One brother is dead and the other is in a serious condition in hospital.

“The brothers would be very well-known in the area. They are from a very large extended family in the Burt are who are very well-known and highly-respected members of the community.”

The tragedy occurred less than a year after 52-year-old Seamus Hegarty and fellow farmer, Kevin Wood, also aged 52, were killed when the steel rim of a tractor wheel they were working on blew off, striking both men and fatally injured them. That was in November 2014.