Fundraiser to help pay for funeral of homeless woman killed in Cork City raises over €6k
Was And Vanessa Her John, Father, Brothers Five Predeceased Her Picture: Of By Rip Ie Three O'callaghan
More than €6,000 has been donated to help pay for the funeral of the homeless woman who died after she was assaulted in Cork City earlier this month.
It follows the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to ease the financial burden on Vanessa O’Callaghan’s family, who buried her just last week.
Vanessa, aged 36, a mother of three, was attacked shortly after she availed of the services of a volunteer-run on-street soup kitchen on St Patrick’s Street in Cork City on December 1. First aid was rendered at the scene and she was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she died three days later.
One of Vanessa's nieces, Shelley O’Callaghan, who set up the fundraiser, said Vanessa had her struggles, which she said probably began following the death of her brother Shane at the age of 18.
“She never came back from this,” she said.
“Anyone that knew Vanessa, she had a heart of gold, always had a smile or wink to give to everyone.
She said money donated to the GoFundMe will help cover the funeral costs, and any remaining funds will be divided between Vanessa’s three children. As of Thursday, more than €6,000 has been donated.
Vanessa was predeceased by her father, John, and three of her five brothers. She is survived by her children Chelsea, Jerry and Kyle, her mother Ellen, and her siblings Linda, Marcella, Aisling, Claudia, Ian and Damian.
They led mourners at the funeral Mass at St Peter and Paul’s Church in Cork city centre last week. In a moving eulogy, heartbroken Chelsea said Cork has lost a gem but heaven has gained an angel.
“Vanessa may be gone but her spirit will live on through all of us, through laughter, through the funny stories, the memories she left us with, and let me tell you there are many stories,” she said.
“Mam always had an answer for everything, for everything, and she was so good with her words. That was her gift to the world — her humour, her wit and her heart.
“Cork has lost a gem but heaven has truly gained an angel.”
A garda investigation into all the circumstances of the fatal assault is ongoing. There have been no arrests yet.
The family has called for more garda resources to patrol the streets and for Cork City Council to convert some of the city’s vacant buildings into safe spaces for the homeless.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.