He died of acute respiratory failure due to drowning, having gone to the aid of four young children and their two parents when they got caught up in a powerful rip current shortly before 3pm on August 23rd, 2024.

Stephen O’Callaghan from Ashburton Hill, Montenotte in Cork ran in to the sea in an attempt to save a group of children at around 3pm last Friday.

Friends of Stephen O’Callaghan (55) of Ashburton Hill, Montenotte in Cork have described him as having been a “selfless, kind and gentle” person