Tributes for Cork woman who died during charity climb

Tributes have poured in for a Cork woman who died suddenly while taking part in a charity mountain climb with her two young children.

Cora O’Grady, 51, from Mitchelstown became unwell and collapsed as she approached the summit of Galtymore mountain on the Limerick/Tipperary boarder on Saturday. Paramedics attempted to revive her but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was reported that the Irish Community Air Ambulance from Cork attended the scene and removed Ms O’Grady’s body to University Hospital Waterford.

She had been taking part in a nationwide Climb with Charlie charity event with her two children, Luke, 11, and Lily, 8.

Founder of the event and former RTÉ broadcaster, Charlie Bird, was one of many to offer their sympathies following the tragic news.

He wrote on Twitter: “I want to offer my condolences this morning to the family and friends of Cora O’Grady from Mitchelstown in county Cork. Cora, who was climbing in the Galty mountains, took ill and passed away. Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.”

Mr Bird, who announced that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021, had been climbing Croagh Patrick as part of the event which took place at over 200 locations in Ireland and overseas.

The even helped to raise over €2 million for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and suicide charity Pieta House.