A nine-year-old boy killed in a tragic accident at his family home in Co Donegal last night has been named locally.

Joey Forker died following a freak accident involving machinery on land at his family’s home at Meenmore on the outskirts of Dungloe.

Joey, a pupil at St Crone’s National School in the town, was helping his father Joe Snr clear land when the accident happened.

The emergency services rushed to the scene following the incident, which occurred just after 7pm last night.

However, the popular young boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joey was the middle child of three boys, the sons of well-known local couple Joe and Audrey Forker.

The tragedy has shocked the local community, where the family are hugely well-known and respected in the locality.

Co Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley was alerted to the incident and attended the scene last night.

A full investigation into the tragic incident has been launched by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). A garda spokesperson confirmed a child died following last night’s tragedy.

“Gardaí and emergency services responded to a fatal incident at a premises in Dungloe, Co Donegal yesterday evening, Friday, August 22.

“A male child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His body was removed to Letterkenny University Hospital and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.”

Locals said little Joey loved spending time with his dad Joe and was “machine mad.”

Local TD and friend of the family, Pat The Cope Gallagher, attended the scene of the tragedy last night.

He said “A veil of inconsolable sadness and heartbreaking grief has descended on the Dungloe area and right across West Donegal with this tragic accident that has led to the loss of such a young and energetic life.

“I was present at the scene last night, where there was such a sense of shock, the brevity of the loss was devastating, and the hearts of everyone present just ached for the family of the deceased.

“I wish to pay tribute to all the emergency services, local fire services, HSE, gardaí and Fr Pat Ward, parish priest of Burtonport.

“I humbly ask that in the days ahead that our prayers and all our moral support are guided towards helping the family of the deceased at this devastating time.”