Funeral arrangements announced for 'hero' who died saving children at Cork beach

Stephen O’Callaghan's brother Emmet said Stephen was 'a hero in the truest sense of the word'

Stephen O’Callaghan died after heroically running into the sea to rescue swimmers who got into difficulty at Inch Beach in East Cork on Friday. Picture: Guileen Search and Rescue

“Unfortunately, the hero must always leave the stage early.”

These were the words of the grief-stricken brother of the man who died trying to save children in stormy waters off Cork’s Inch Beach. Emmet O’Callaghan also urged people to tell those they love what they mean to them.

He put up the heart-felt post on his LinkedIn profile in which he paid tribute to his brother Stephen. The 55-year-old from Ashburton Hill in St Luke’s in Cork City dashed into the water to help save a group of children at the popular bathing spot when sea conditions deteriorated at around 2.30pm last Friday.

While the children were all rescued with the help of others, Mr O’Callaghan is believed to have been swept further out to sea after getting caught in a strong undercurrent. He was eventually brought from the water by volunteers and attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was later pronounced dead.

In his LinkedIn post, Emmet said: “My brother Stephen unfortunately lost his life last Friday saving four children from drowning at Inch beach in Cork. A hero in the truest sense of the word who will be missed terribly by all who loved him.”

Friends of Stephen O’Callaghan have described him as having been a 'selfless, kind and gentle' person.

He then advised others to “never miss an opportunity to tell those people in your life what they mean to you and that you love them”.

He added: “God Speed Brother and will see you soon.”

A few hours later, overwhelmed by the comments and condolences he received, he added: “Thank you for the kind sentiments and comforting words.

Unfortunately, the hero must always leave the stage early.

Mr O’Callaghan will be buried at St Finbarr’s Cemetery after a funeral on Wednesday. His Rip.ie notice says that he was the beloved son of John and Kathleen and loving brother of Katrina, Keith, Mary and Emmet.

It also said he would be sadly missed by his “heartbroken” parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandniece, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters in law, relatives and “a large circle of friends”.

People will be able to pay their respects to Mr O’Callaghan and his family at O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, North Gate Bridge on Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm with prayers at 5.45pm.

There will be Requiem Mass in the funeral home on Wednesday at 1pm, followed by a funeral afterwards to St Finbarr’s Cemetery on Cork City’s Glasheen Road.

The family have requested there be family flowers only and for anybody wishing to send flowers, that they instead make a donation to the RNLI.