A man who died trying to save four young swimmers in difficulty on a Cork beach last week will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
55-year-old Stephen O’Callaghan from St Luke’s in Cork City entered the water at Inch Strand near Whitegate after four young swimmers got into difficulty.
He was then swept out to sea by a strong undercurrent.
Coastguard
The Irish Coastguard at Valentia in County Kerry received a notification that five people were in difficulty in the area at around 3pm on Friday.
Four people were then rescued from the water.
Mr O’Callaghan was then taken from the water in a serious condition and was treated on the beach by paramedics.
He was then taken to Cork University Hospital where he later died.
"Broken-hearted"
In a social media post on Saturday, Mr O’Callaghan’s mother Kathleen paid tribute to him.
“This is my son Stephen O Callaghan who lost his life in saving two young boys,” she wrote.
“May God and his mother Mary watch over you Stephen; I Love you, your broken-hearted mother.”
Mr O’Callaghan’s requiem mass will take place in O’Connor Bros Funeral Home, North Gate Bridge on Wednesday at 1pm.
He will then be buried at St Finbarr’s Cemetery.
His family has requested that anyone considering sending flowers makes a donation to the RNLI instead.