The body of a young father from County Tyrone was recovered from the River Lee in Cork on Boxing Day, concluding an extensive nine-day search operation. Shea McCabe, whose family described his death as a "freak accident", entered the water near the Brian Boru Bridge in the early hours of Thursday, 18 December.
Multi-Agency Search Effort
A large-scale search was immediately launched, involving multiple agencies and volunteer groups. The operation spanned the River Lee, Lough Mahon, and the wider Cork Harbour area. Teams from An Garda Síochána, the Coast Guard, Cork City Fire Brigade, and the National Ambulance Service were involved. They were supported by dedicated volunteer organisations including Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery (CCMPSR), Mallow Search and Rescue (MSAR), Irish Search Dogs, and the Blackwater and Cork Sub Aqua clubs.
Remarkably, some volunteers continued their efforts even on Christmas morning, hoping to provide answers for the grieving family. The search culminated on the afternoon of Friday, 26 December, when MSAR's side-scan sonar technology located Shea's body, allowing for its retrieval.
A Family's Heartbreak and Community Support
The recovery marked another devastating loss for the McCabe family, who tragically lost Shea's brother, Jason, in October 2023, followed by their mother just seven months later in May 2024. In the wake of the tragedy, Shea's family started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of repatriating his body to his hometown of Pomeroy, funeral expenses, and to provide support for his three-year-old son, Cahan. They also wished to donate to the Cork-based volunteers who aided the search.
The appeal resonated deeply, raising nearly £9,000 (approximately €10,300) in just three days. On the fundraising page, Shea's sister Stacey expressed the family's profound grief, writing they were "heartbroken" and thanking the rescue services for their "incredible efforts".
Tributes and Ongoing Fundraising
The local community in Tyrone has rallied around the family. Staff at The Miners' Rest pub in Coalisland, near Pomeroy, posted a heartfelt tribute to Shea online, thanking donors and promising that "there'll always be a forever one in the keg for you." The pub also announced plans to hold a further raffle on New Year's Eve to continue raising funds.
The family has emphasised that every contribution, no matter the size, will help them navigate this profoundly difficult time as they seek to lay Shea to rest with dignity and ensure a future for his young son.
