Donations have poured in as efforts are underway to repatriate the body of a popular chef who died last week while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
James O’Connor was 100m away from the summit of one of the most topographically prominent peaks on earth when he suffered a heart attack on Tuesday. He was celebrating his 40th birthday on the day of his death.
Mr O’Connor was a chef at Tony’s Bistro on North Main Street off Cork city centre.
Close to €39,000 has been raised after a GoFundMe page was set up by his friend Regina Kennedy.
Ms Kennedy said that the sudden passing of James has caused enormous shock and sadness.
“When James set out on what he considered was going to be one of his biggest achievements, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, never did we think it was going to be his last trip.
"We are trying our best to bring James home as fast as possible to his loving family and friends. He is a wonderful husband, super father, amazing son, fantastic brother, loving uncle, friend and hero to many.
"He exuded positivity and anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him would know they would never again meet another like James."
Meanwhile, the owners of Tony’s Bistro have asked members of the public to hold James in their thoughts as preparations are being made to bring him back to Ireland for burial.
In a post on social media, the restaurant described James as a “legendary chef, super dad, husband and friend to all".
Mr O’Connor was living in Dooradoyle in Limerick and commuted to work in Cork.
Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler told Live 95FM that James was very well thought of in Limerick.
“He (James) was very active here locally. He coaches my own son in the under nine team where his own son also plays. There is widespread shock in the community for such a young man to pass away in such tragic circumstances.
"There is a lot of cost involved in repatriation. I am appealing to people to support this family in a very difficult time.”
