Heartache as man, 50s, dies after getting into difficulty in water at Cork pier & community left ‘shocked’ by

A MAN in his 50s has died after getting into difficulty in the water in Co Cork. 

Valentia Coastguard was alerted to a report by the National Ambulance that a man was in the water at the Castletownbere Pier shortly after 5:30pm today. 

The local coastguard and the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat were dispatched to the scene and the man was taken from the water in an unresponsive state. 

He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 

Gardai said the man’s body has been removed to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital, with a post-mortem examination due to take place.

A spokesperson for the force said: Gardai and emergency services responded after receiving reports of a person in the water at the Pier, Castletownbere shortly after 5:30pm this evening, Saturday 1st August, 2026.

“A male, aged in his 50s was taken from the water a short time later. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His body has been removed to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be arranged. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Finbarr Harrington, Deputy Mayor of the county of Cork, told RTE that the community has been left “shocked” by the news. 

He said: “There is real sadness for the man and his family. People are shocked.

“Usually you associate tragedies at sea with bad weather – storms and rough seas – but not in this case.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the man and his family at this very difficult time.”