Man 'died a hero' after helping to save six people at Cork beach
Olivia Kelleher
A “heroic” man died after he rushed to save the lives of six people who were struggling in the water at Inch Beach in Co Cork following a sudden and deadly rip current, an inquest has heard.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Monday at the inquest into the death of Stephen O’Callaghan of Ashburton Hill, Montenotte in Cork city.
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.
The 55-year-old saved the life of a 10-year-old boy. His nephew Eoghan managed to bring the eight-year-old brother of the boy to safety.
Two other children, who were both aged ten, and two women were helped to the shore by members of the local surf club and other locals at the scene who had rushed to their assistance.
A mother whose two young boys were saved by Stephen and his nephew said that she had met up with friends and their children at the beach that day.
The children had gone for a surf lesson. Then they and their mothers went to the sauna and for a swim.
She recalled going into the water.
“I nor any one of us were out of our depth. The waves were choppy. It was a bright, sunny, windy day. The tide was a long way out. I was watching the kids.
"It all happened very fast. I saw (my friend) gesturing for me to come to the left. I tried, but failed. I knew we were in trouble. I was swimming, getting nowhere, and could not find my footing anymore. It was hard to hear with the noise from the wind and water.
"I shouted for help, shouting a while whilst keeping an eye on the others. A man standing not far from me (Stephen), he came to my assistance," she said.
"I told him I was worried about (her ten year old) He then went to his assistance. He (her eldest son) was the furthest away and crying. Stephen's brave actions saved his life. I was tiring, and could not see everything that was happening around me.
"I remember a boy, Eoghan, going to the assistance of my youngest son. He put him on his back and rescued him to safety.”
She also praised the nieces of the deceased, Grainne and Niamh O’Callaghan, who were “very reassuring” when she and the other mother were in difficulty in the water.
She told Coroner Frank O’Connell that Stephen and his nephew were “heroic.”
“If it was not for the actions and bravery of Stephen, his nieces, nephew and family, we would not have survived. We will be forever thankful for their actions," she said.
The inquest also heard from Stephen's brother Keith O’Callaghan. He and Stephen were in the water with other family members when conditions deteriorated.
Keith said his brother “ran into the danger area” to assist a child. Keith attempted to support him in the rescue attempt but he got into difficulty and was rescued by a person on a surfboard.
A statement from Eoghan O’Callaghan was read into evidence. He said that his uncle was an “amazing person” who was “always ready to help anyone.”
Paddy Enright, who operates a sauna at the beach, ran into the water with two other men to assist those in difficulty in the water. He said that Stephen “died a hero” having “sacrificed his life to help others."
Garda Thomas Duane said that Stephen was found face down in a gully on the rocks around 30 minutes after the tragedy occurred. CPR was administered, and he was formally pronounced dead at 4.15pm.
Rip currents
Garda Duane said the body was swept onto the rocks by a “very strong rip current.” He said that the actions of the deceased and others prevented an even more serious tragedy from occurring.
He confirmed to the Coroner that warning signs in relation to rip currents are on display at the beach. The Garda emphasised that when a rip current occurs, “you feel you are standing on nothing.”
“People don’t understand how dangerous it is.”
The Coroner said that multiple deaths could have occurred on the day.
“It’s a terrible tragedy but it could have been a lot worse.”
The O’Callaghan family said that Stephen loved his work with Irish Customs. He also had a passion for music and mountain climbing. They donated his keyboards to a special needs school in the wake of his death.
They expressed their appreciation for Garda Thomas Duane, the emergency services and all who assisted the family on the day their brother died.
The search and rescue operation had involved the coast guard units at Guileen and Crosshaven, along with the RNLI from Ballycotton and Crosshaven. Rescue Helicopter 117 from Waterford was also tasked to Inch Beach.
