Family pay tribute to Noah McAleese, two, who died in a ‘tragic’ incident on an Antrim farm

Tributes have poured in for an ‘adored’ toddler who died in an incident on a farm in Antrim yesterday, as his heartbroken family pledge he will ‘never be forgotten’.

The little boy has been named locally as Noah Shea McAleese, and tributes have been paid across the communities of Dunloy and Ballymoney.

Ambulance teams were called to the scene in the Bravallen Road area of Ballymoney at around 12.32pm before the child was rushed to Causeway Hospital.

Noah, who was just two-years-old, passed away shortly after.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is now working with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the circumstances around the little boy’s ‘sudden death’.

The little boy has been named locally as Noah Shea McAleese, and tributes have poured in from across the local communities in Dunloy and Ballymoney

Local Funeral Directors, McKiernans & Sons, posted on social media this evening: ‘We regret to inform you of the tragic passing of Noah Shea McAleese R.I.P. (Ballymoney & Dunloy).

‘Precious son of Johnny and Corrina and adored brother of Cohen.

‘Beloved grandson of Seamus and Betty and Kieran and the late Rosemary Cassidy.

‘Adored and never forgotten by the entire McAleese and Cassidy family circle.’

A local Gaelic football club, where Noah’s dad Johnny formerly played, also paid tribute and offered their ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the little boy’s loved ones.

‘Everyone at Dunloy GA+CC was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news yesterday of the sudden passing of Noah McAleese. 

‘Noah is the son of our former player Johnny and his wife Corrina. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the entire McAleese and Cassidy family circles at this very sad time 

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance service said: ‘The Northern Ireland Ambulance service received a 999 call at 12.32 on Friday 11 November, following reports of a farm incident in Ballymoney.

‘NIAS dispatched a Rapid Response Emergency Paramedic, an Emergency Crew and an Ambulance Officer to the incident.

‘Following assessment, the patient was taken to Causeway Hospital.’

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Paramedics were called to the scene in the Ballymoney area of Antrim at around 12.32pm before the child was rushed to Causeway Hospital (file image)

Local Ulster Unionist Councillor Darryl Wilson said the tragedy has devastated the boy’s family and local community.

Writing on social media this afternoon, the Councillor said: ‘Today a local family is heartbroken, grieving, feeling devastation and loss that many of us have never felt, and never want to feel.

‘The local community are sending their collective thoughts, prayers and support. Together we are devastated.’

Writing last night he said: ‘As news emerges tonight of a terrible tragedy in our Town, an entire community’s heart is broken.’

‘Any loss of life is a tragedy, it is however particularly devastating when a child is taken far, far too soon.

‘No words can express how we are feeling, our collective heart’s, thoughts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by this devastating loss.

‘Can I extend my personal and heartfelt sympathies to this family who I have got to know well over the years.

‘During this period of unimaginable grief and heartache I have no doubt the family will support each other, and can rely on the support of the entire community.’

In a statement today, a PSNI spokeswoman said: ‘The Police Service of Northern Ireland are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSE NI) and Environmental Health from the Causeway Coast and Glens Council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a two-year-old boy in the Bravallen Road area of Ballymoney. 

‘Local officers continue to support the family at this difficult time.’