Huge outpouring of grief for Cora
The death of Mitchelstown woman Cora O’Grady, Mandeville Park, who died close to the summit of Galtymore on Saturday while taking part in the ‘Climb With Charlie’ initiative, has led to an outpouring of public sympathy and condolences, both locally and nationally.
The mother of two was accompanied by her children Luke (11) and Lilly (8) and were part of a group when she fell ill at approximately 1pm, and was pronounced dead an hour later.
Locals spoke of how she and her two children were ‘an extremely strong family unit’.
A family friend of Ms O’Grady, on behalf of Cora’s family, thanked all of Cora’s friends and relations who helped at the scene and the many others who assisted on Saturday when the sad event happened, including those who performed CPR while awaiting the emergency services.
“We especially want to thank the Community Air Ambulance, members of the South East Mountain Rescue Association, the paramedics and Cahir Gardaí. We’d also like to thank the clergy, the undertaker, and everyone else who assisted in any way, and we are also very grateful to the owners of Kings Yard for their kindness and supplies of tea and coffee to all.”
“We’d also like to express our thanks to the parents of Luke and Lilly’s friends, who have been a huge support and help over the last number of days, and everyone else who assisted in any way.”
Her friends have organised a GoFundMe drive in aid of Ms O’Grady’s children, which can be found at gofund.me/2c1a3b0d, or by visiting gofundme.com and searching for ‘For Luke & Lilly’.
The Irish Community Air Ambulance was called to the scene close to the summit of Galtymore and a recovery operation was carried out by the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) and An Garda Síochána while The National Ambulance Service also provided support.
SEMRA, the mountain rescue association, offered their condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
In light of the fact that Cora was taking part in the ‘Climb with Charlie’ weekend, the former RTÉ presenter offered her family his condolences, and said that her family and friends are in his thoughts and prayers.
Cora’s funeral cortege will leave The Chapel of Rest on Friday and travel via Baldwin Street and Lower Cork Street, on its way to the Church of Mary Conceived Without Sin, Mitchelstown, for Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Friday with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.