Loyal dog refuses to leave owner's side after being killed by falling tree branch

Mary O'Shea was felling trees at her home near Piltown, Ireland, when she was killed by a falling branch while her dog refused to leave her until she was found

Mary O'Shea (center) was killed by the falling branch (

Image: Ciaran Burns

A devoted dog stayed with her owner for more than 24 hours after being crushed by a falling tree branch.

Farmer Mary O'Shea was pinned to the ground in her own yard and was eventually found by passers-by the next day.

One of her pet dogs refused to leave her until she was found on Saturday evening, the Irish Mirror has learned.

"The dog stayed by her side the entire time," a source said.

Mrs O'Shea, a well-known local historian and writer in her 60s, was cutting down the tree when it fell on her at her home near Piltown, Co Kilkenny in Ireland.

Sources say she was last seen early Friday and is believed to have died later that day.

Local Fine Gael councilor Pat Dunphy said everyone in the area was shocked by his death.

Mary O'Shea (right) was Treasurer of the South Kilkenny Historical Society (

Picture:

Ciaran Burns)

"I would like to convey my condolences and those of the people of Piltown to his loved ones," he said.

"She was a very popular woman. She worked on her farm and also had a solid knowledge of local history. It was very sad."

The farmer was an only child, was unmarried and died before both parents died, residents said.

Gardai has confirmed the force is investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in Piltown on Saturday.

A spokesperson said: "Gardaí Ambulance services were requested yesterday, Saturday 19th November 2022, following reports of an incident in the Piltown area, County Kilkenny.

"A woman in her 60s was fatally injured and pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been taken to the mortuary at Waterford University Hospital. A case will be prepared for the Coroner."

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Sources said foul play has been ruled out and his death was a tragic accident.

The parish priest, Father Paschal Moore, paid him a moving tribute.

He said, "She lived alone, but she was very involved in the life of the community. She was a local historian and...