The body of a 23-year-old student who died saving a drowning couple was recovered yesterday morning at Owenahincha Beach, West Cork, seven days after he was drowned.
The remains of Jonathan Herlihy, Riverstown, Glanmire, Co Cork were found on the sand between two rocks yesterday morning by a woman participating in the search. It is believed his body was washed in by the tides earlier that morning.
The Coastguard and gardaí were alerted and Mr Herlihy's body was removed from the eastern end of the beach to Cork University Hospital for identification.
A Garda spokesman said Mr Herlihy's family subsequently identified the body as that of their son. "Obviously they were visibly shaken and very sad but they were very relieved that Jonathan's body had been found," he said. Fr Liam O'Driscoll, parish priest in Mr Herlihy's native Glanmire, said it was important for the Herlihy family to be able to have a funeral service.
"At least he will be able to have a Christian burial. It is a relief. The people of West Cork and Glanmire really rallied around for the family and helped out. They helped in all sorts of ways." Jonathan was due to graduate from University College Cork this morning with a B.Sc in finance having received a second class honours grade one degree.
Graduating classes at UCC will observe a minute's silence today in memory of Mr Herlihy. A spokesman for the economics department in UCC said Jonathan had a "promising career" ahead of him and was a "likeable young man". He was also a talented sportsman, having won three Collingwood Cup medals in a row for the UCC soccer team. Jonathan won the Golden Boot at the 2004 tournament in Belfast.
He also played at centre forward for Cork Under-21 and minor football teams and won medals for Glanmire and Sarsfield's football clubs.
Mr Herlihy drowned alongside fellow Good Samaritan Peter O'Keeffe (37), from Model Farm Road, Cork. The men were swept out to sea at Owenahincha Beach on September 3rd after they came to the rescue of two swimmers (Lee Cooley and Cliona Murphy) who were struggling in the water. Businessman Peter O'Keeffe was buried last Friday following an emotional service in the Church of St Mary and St John, Ballincollig, Co Cork.