Kerry man killed in Pamplona bull run is named
A young Irish soldier plunged to his death from an ancient wall during a notorious bull-running festival in Spain, it emerged today.
Aidan Holly, from the small village of Tarbert in north Kerry, fell 30m from the old ramparts in Pamplona yesterday ahead of the first day of the San Fermin festival.
It is reported that the 23-year-old former local GAA club footballer was dead for several hours before be was found.
The Defence Forces confirmed Mr Holly joined the Army last year and was a member of the 4th Battalion at Collin’s Barracks in Cork.
An Army spokesman said the three star private would be entitled to military honours at his funeral, depending on the wishes of his family.
Joe Langan, secretary of Tarbert GAA, where Mr Holly played football growing up, said the village was devastated at the untimely death.
“It’s terrible news. I knew him well. He was a very nice lad, very likeable,” he said.
“It’s very sad day down here for us. The Hollys would be a well known family here.”
Mr Langan said Mr Holly was one of three children, enjoyed travelling and last year cycled around Ireland for charity.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was offering consular assistance to Mr Holly’s family.
The running of the bulls at Pamplona draws large crowds of tourists every year, having become world famous with the publication of Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises.
It is known for its all-night street parties and, since record-keeping began in 1924, has claimed the lives of 14 runners.
The last fatality from a goring was a 22-year-old American, Matthew Tassio, in 1995. In 2003, a 63-year-old Pamplona native, Fermin Etxeberri, was trampled in the head by a bull and died after spending several months in a coma.
