The tragic loss of John Finnan in a light plane accident in Wexford early last month was a numbing reminder of the fragility of life. John was well known in the tillage sector in his role as a senior researcher in Teagasc.

A native of Athy, John spent much of his professional life working at Teagasc in Oak Park. His early work was based around carbon dioxide levels and global warming issues before he moved to the EPA for a period. He returned to Oak Park at the first opportunity to join a research programme investigating the agronomy and use of energy crops.

Some years later, John made the transition to oat research. Here he conducted a broad range of highly exploratory work on the production, husbandry and physiology of this little-researched crop. The intention was to produce a new guide for oat husbandry and we hope that this can still be completed in his memory.

John was an extremely diligent researcher and a perfectionist. He had very many research publications, driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge. He received many tributes from friends and colleagues since his passing, best typified as “the absolute definition of a gentleman” by Teagasc director Prof Gerry Boyle.

John had a lifelong interest in flying and held a pilot’s licence for years. He was involved in the Wexford flying club and was a regular pilot in the yellow Piper Super cub used to tow gliders out at Punchestown.

Our deepest sympathies go to his parents, John and Claire, his sisters Emer, Ciara and Mary and the wider family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.