THIS is the heartbreaking first picture of a young man who died after falling from a fourth-storey window of a student accommodation block in Cork.
Darragh McCarthy, 21, passed away in hospital on Tuesday after the horrific accident took place in the early hours of Thursday, March 6.
The youngster, who is from Midleton, fell while he was staying with friends in Eden Hall student accommodation on Model Farm Road.
It is understood he was a student in the Munster Technological University but lived at home and was staying with friends as he was due to leave for Dublin later on the morning of the tragic accident.
Darragh was also a hurler for Midleton GAA club and worked at Fota Resort and Golf Club.
He is believed to have suffered massive head injuries in the fall and sadly passed away in the Intensive Care Unit of Cork University Hospital days later.
A notice online remembered the student as the “adored son” of Niall and Aoife, “loving brother” of Aisling and Niall Óg and the much-loved grandson of Marie and the late Flannan O’Meara and the late Henry and Helen McCarthy.
It added: “Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his heartbroken mom, dad, sister, brother, loving girlfriend Sophie McCarthy Keane, aunts Sinéad, Teresa and Deirdre, uncles Brian, Kevin, Paul, Fergal and Rowan, cousins, aunts-in-law, uncles-in-law, his wide circle of friends, including those from Midleton CBS, MTU, and Midleton GAA, as well as his work colleagues and the management team at Fota Resort and Golf Club.”
Tributes have poured in for tragic Darragh today, with mourners telling how the community has suffered a “tremendous loss”.
One said: “A pain unimaginable for you all. Darragh’s passing has touched the hearts of so many people.
“May you find light in your precious memories of your darling boy, in the days ahead. Sleep well Darragh.”
Another pal added: “So sorry for your loss I am in college with him and everyone in college will miss him dearly.”
A third said: “Thinking of you all constantly. Darragh was a popular, strong, kind, extremely well liked young man and may he rest peacefully.”
Another simple added: “I am so deeply sorry that you have lost your precious son.”
Darragh will repose in O’Farrell’s Funeral Home on Riverside Way in Midleton on Friday from 4pm to 7pm.
A funeral mass will take place at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Midleton at 11am on Saturday, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
GARDAI PROBE ACCIDENT
Gardai, paramedics, and members of Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene of the freak accident in Cork.
Medics provided medical attention before Darragh was transferred to nearby Cork University Hospital.
His family remained at his bedside for a number of days before his tragic passing.
Gardai stressed that no foul play was involved and they are treating the incident as a freak accident.
They are investigating how the accident could have happened and spoke to the deceased’s shocked and traumatised friends.
