The young man’s body was found after a major nine-day search operation
17:27, 29 Dec 2025Updated 17:35, 29 Dec 2025
Shea McCabe’s body was recovered on St. Stephen’s Day – RIP(Image: GoFundMe)
Thousands have been raised to bring home the body of a young man whose body was found in the River Lee in Cork city on Christmas week.
Shea McCabe from Co. Tyrone entered the Lee near the Brian Boru Bridge in the early hours of Thursday, December 18th, after what his family have described as a “freak accident.” Over the following days there was a massive, nine-day multi-agency search for him along the river, Lough Mahon and the wider Cork Harbour areas. Crews involved included Gardaí, members of the Coast Guard, Cork City firefighters, the National Ambulance Service, Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery (CCMPSR), Mallow Search and Rescue (MSAR), Irish Search Dogs and the Blackwater and Cork Sub Aqua clubs’ recovery teams.
Some dedicated volunteers were even out searching on Christmas morning to help bring peace and closure to Shea’s family. Finally, on the afternoon of Friday, 26th December, the young father’s body was found using the MSAR team’s side-scan sonar and recovered. This is the latest in a series of tragedies for the McCabe family, as Shea’s brother Jason died in October 2023, followed by his mother just seven months later in May 2024.
The Tyrone man’s family have since set up a GoFundMe page to assist with repatriating Shea’s body to Pomeroy, covering funeral expenses and supporting his three-year-old son, Cahan. They also want to make a donation to the Cork volunteers involved in the search for Shea to repay them for their “incredible efforts”. Their campaign has raised almost £9,000 (€10,300) in just three days.
Posting on the GoFundMe page, Shea’s sister Stacey said that they are “heartbroken” by their latest loss.
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Shea McCabe has sadly passed away. A freak accident turned into our worst nightmare, his body was lovingly recovered thanks to the incredible efforts of the rescue services in Cork. We are deeply grateful to every person involved in bringing him back to us,” she said.
“Shea’s body now needs to be brought home from Cork to Pomeroy, and we want nothing more than to lay him to rest with dignity and love. The costs of transport and funeral arrangements have placed a heavy financial burden on the family at a time when we are already struggling with overwhelming grief… We are asking for support to help cover transporting Shea home to Pomeroy, funeral and burial expenses, the family also want to give back to the Cork search and rescue team and to support for his beautiful son Cahan (aged 3).”
The family say that any donation, no matter how small, will go a long way in supporting them during this difficult time. Paying tribute to Shea, the team at the Miners’ Rest bar, located near Pomeroy in Coalisland, thanked those who had donated so far.
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated for Shea McCabe. The love and support shown has been overwhelming, and we only wish Shea could see just how much he meant to so many. To Shéa’s family and friends – our doors and our hearts are always open to you, for anything you need.
“And to Shéa – we love you. Thank you for every laugh, every story, and every memory shared within our four walls and far beyond them. There’ll always be a forever one in the keg for you. We’ll miss you more than words could ever say. Love always, All at The Miners.”
The bar said that they will be holding another raffle on New Year’s Eve to help raise more funds.