Kathleen Devine suffered a fatal reaction to the stings during an incident in Co. Mayo, Ireland, on Monday evening and couldn’t be saved after being rushed to hospital
The woman killed by a swarm of bees as she collected honey has been name as a ‘lovely’ retired nurse.
Kathleen Devine, who was in her seventies, suffered a fatal reaction to the stings during an incident in Co. Mayo, Ireland, on Monday night. The former medical professional and her husband Des, both avid beekeepers, were helping friends to harvest honey from their hives near their home in Ballycastle.
But the insects attacked the couple, and she was stung by two bees. After sustaining multiple stings, she fell seriously ill and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter was sent to the scene to provide aid.
She received immediate care at the scene before being airlifted to Sligo University Hospital for further treatment, but she could not be saved and was later pronounced dead.
One source revealed that the tragic incident occurred as Mr and Mrs Devine were extracting honey from a hive for a friend, the Irish Mirror report. He said: “They were helping good friends take off the honey at the end of the season. Poor Mrs Devine got stung and she had an allergic reaction.
“It was very unfortunate. It was not a swarm of bees, it was a hive. This time of the year the bees are protective of their honey. Bees are wild animals, they can’t be controlled. I think she was wearing protective clothing and the bees somehow got in the suit.”
Gardai said in a statement: “Gardaí assisted emergency services at a medical incident involving a woman at Ballycastle, Ballina, Co Mayo, at approximately 5.40pm on Monday 1 September 2025.
“The woman, aged in her 70s, became ill and was transferred by air ambulance to Sligo General Hospital. She subsequently passed away.
“A woman who rendered assistance (aged in her 40s) was brought by ambulance to Mayo University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
“A post-mortem examination will be carried out, the results of which will determine the course of the Garda investigation. The local Coroner has been informed.”
