A retired nurse has tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to bee stings while gathering honey in rural Co. Mayo. Kathleen Devine, in her seventies, was assisting friends with honey harvesting near her home in Ballycastle when the incident occurred on Monday evening.

Local sources indicate that Mrs Devine was stung by as few as two bees, which led to her becoming critically unwell. The Rescue 118 Irish Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to the scene to provide immediate medical assistance. She was subsequently airlifted to Sligo University Hospital, where she sadly passed away.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death, which will inform the Garda investigation. A report will also be prepared for the local coroner. Several other individuals reportedly sustained injuries while trying to assist Mrs Devine during the incident.

According to a source, the couple was extracting honey from a hive for a friend when the tragedy unfolded. "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," the source explained.

A local resident paid tribute to Mrs Devine, describing her as "a lovely, kind, dear lady" who had dedicated many years to nursing. The Gardaí confirmed that they assisted emergency services at the medical incident, which occurred at approximately 5.40pm on Monday, 1 September 2025.

A woman in her forties who attempted to help Mrs Devine was taken to Mayo University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The Gardaí have stated that the investigation will proceed following the post-mortem results.