Cork stabbing victim was 'a hero' who was full of 'empathy and compassion', says friend's mother

The young Cork stabbing victim who will be laid to rest on Sunday was a hero who stood up to bullies, according to the parent of one of his former school friends.

The young Cork stabbing victim who will be laid to rest on Sunday was a hero who stood up to bullies and who was able to handle situations that "got out of control", according to the parent of one of his former school friends.

A woman has told how Cameron Blair (20) had helped her daughter cope with secondary school. Her comments echo those of another mother who came forward for the same reasons the day after he died.

Cameron, a second year CIT chemical engineering student, was at a house party on January 16 in Bandon Road, Cork, when he was stabbed.

He collapsed and, although paramedics fought to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at Cork University Hospital.

Speaking on Cork’s 96 FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, a woman identified only as Sophie said Cameron was “a good friend of my daughter”.

They both went to Brandon Grammar School and he was a year ahead of her.

“It's important to focus on the special person he was, to celebrate his life, his spirit and his energy and the impact he had on the other children around him,” she said.

“My daughter describes him as a hero and a celebrity in the school. He was full of energy and spirit and love.”

She said he was very good at “handling situations that might have got a little bit out of control”.

He was also good at “keeping a lid on things and been able to talk people down from various situations”.

He meant a lot to her because she was just finding her feet in senior school and it is a little wobbly when you're young.

“He had a very broad vocabulary and a magical imagination and he wasn't like many other boys that she would have engaged with.”

She also told how Cameron used to send her a text after she came home from school to make sure she got home alright.

“He had an impact on children that were a little bit different or still finding their feet or still finding their independence,” she said.

Cameron Blair

“He had the kindness and empathy and compassion to take the time and to keep an eye out for them.”

She also said her daughter spoke to her about Cameron’s “absolutely strong leadership qualities” and his instinct to “sense when things were slightly not right, slightly out of control”.

On January 17, the day after Cameron died, Roos Demol tweeted: “That poor boy who was stabbed in Cork had in the past tried to help my daughter against her bullies. My thoughts go to his family. May he RIP.”

That poor boy who was savagely stabbed in Cork had in the past tried to help my daughter against her bullies. Such a senseless murder. My thoughts go to his family. May he RIP.

— Roos Demol 🇵🇸 🇨🇩 🇸🇾 🇸🇩 (@vlinierland) January 17, 2020

It was liked by 2,500 people and retweeted 135 times.

She was later interviewed and spoke of how much of a help to her daughter Cameron had been.

Cameron Blair will be reposing at his home tomorrow from 10am and his funeral will take place on Sunday at 2pm in St Peter's Church, Bandon, followed by burial in Kilbeg Cemetery.

A one-way traffic system will operate on the L3064, with all traffic accessing the Blair home from the main N71 Bandon - Clonakilty road (on Bandon side of Pedlars Cross).