Tragic Cork man who drowned in river Lee had troubles but always helped others

Irish Daily Mirror

05-05-2025

A man who drowned in the river Lee in Cork earlier this week had his own troubles in life but never hesitated to reach out and help others, his requiem mass has heard.
Luke Hyde (33), from Wolfe Tone Street in Cork, got in to difficulties while swimming across the river from Pope's Quay to Lavitt's Quay shortly before 7pm on Wednesday.
Mr Hyde's mother, Lily, contacted the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM in the aftermath of the incident. She spoke about the shock she experienced when she arrived at the quayside to find that onlookers were filming events instead of going to the aid of her son.
Ms Hyde read the two main readings at the funeral of her son at the North Cathedral church in Cork this morning. She also placed the crucifix and a copy of the bible on the coffin of her son. A framed picture of Luke was also on the coffin. He had started a new job in a supermarket in Douglas in Cork last week.
Lily Hyde has lost two sons in five years. Her son Brian died in his sleep in 2019. Luke was the youngest of her adult children and they shared a close bond.
Parish priest Fr Marius O'Reilly told mourners at 10am requiem mass today that Luke didn't have it easy in life having lost his father Michael when he was a young boy. Fr O'Reilly noted that Luke subsequently had to grieve the death of his older brother Brian.
Fr O'Reilly stated that in spite of all the tragedy Luke experienced in life he still retained his loving nature.
'These (losses) had a big impact on him at such a young age. But the thing that everyone seems to talk about is what a gentle person he was. He had a loving, caring nature.
'I even heard how he would love the animals and even the worms. How he would look after even worms — wanting to care for them. That is not something you would hear about too often.
He was also someone who would reach out to people and try to help people. He had his own troubles. But he was a great lesson to all of us in that sense.'
Fr O'Reilly told mourners that Luke loved sport and played with the Na Piarsaigh Hurling and Football Club in Cork city.
'Sport was something that was very important to him in this life. He played with Na Piarsaigh. He ws a rare breed — A Leeds United supporter. There are not many of those around. They (Leeds) had a good year.)
He added that Ms Hyde had asked him to thank the gardai, the emergency services, medics and the local community for their assistance and support since the loss of Luke.
Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nuns from the Missions of Charity Sisters in Blarney, Co Cork with whom Luke had a 'good relationship.'
Fr Con Doherty, a family friend from the Sacred Heart Church in the Western Road, also celebrated the mass alongside Fr O'Reilly. Commendation prayers were recited by Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley, who also comforted the relatives of the deceased.
The coffin was carried from the church for burial as a soloist sang the hymn 'Going Home.' The mother of the late Luke Hyde shook the hands of well wishers as she walked behind the remains of her son.
Mr Hyde is survived his son Leon, his mother Lily, siblings Michael, Mark and Lucia, extended family and a large circle of friends. He was buried at St Catherine's cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.