Tipperary community rallies around Tobin family with fundraiser after tragic loss

The community of Newcastle, Co Tipperary, is coming together in support of the family of 12-year-old Freya Tobin, who tragically lost her life after encountering difficulties while swimming in the River Suir last Friday.

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A fundraising effort has been launched to assist with her funeral expenses.

Freya had been swimming with a friend along the Suir Blueway at approximately 4:20pm when the incident occurred.

It is believed that both girls got into trouble in the water, which is known for its strong currents. One of them managed to reach safety and alert others. Several local boys, hearing their cries for help, jumped in to assist.

Emergency services responded swiftly, including Gardaí, the National Ambulance Service, and Clonmel Fire Station’s swift water rescue team.

Freya was pulled from the river around 4:45pm and airlifted by the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 117 helicopter to Cork University Hospital.

Despite the rescue efforts, she sadly passed away a short time later. Her friend, who survived, was brought to South Tipperary General Hospital for medical attention.

Freya had just completed sixth class at Scoil Mhuire Caisleán Nua National School. In the wake of her passing, a GoFundMe campaign titled The Funeral of Freya Tobin has been launched.

The page reflects the immense grief felt by the local community, describing her as “the kindest, most gentle soul to grace the community of Newcastle” and expressing how her loss has left a “wave of deep sorrow and regret.”

The organisers of the fundraiser wrote, “What should have been another day of summer holidays fun turned into an unimaginable nightmare. In what can only be described as a tragic and utterly devastating event, our beloved Freya drowned in the River Suir while swimming with her dear friend Emily.”

They went on to say, “There wasn't a single person who did not know her name, nor whom she wouldn't have said hello to when passing through the village.

"She touched the hearts of every single person that had the pleasure of knowing her, and you couldn't help but leave her company with a smile on your face. The biggest smile of all being on the face of her biggest admirer, her little brother Grayson.”

Freya’s sense of humour, they recalled, brought “uncontrollable” laughter to many.

“You couldn't possibly be a friend to her mother, Shannen, auntie Amber, uncle Dylan, without being Freya's friend also. Her presence was magnetic, and this is shown by just how many friends she has made for herself in our community and beyond.

"It's safe to say she had all of us wrapped around her finger, but particularly, her nanny Catríona and grandad OJ.”

The organisers added that Freya’s passing has left an emotional wound that the small community may never fully heal from.

“In light of this, we want to come together as a community and help the Tobin family cover the costs of Freya's funeral. I hope we can rally together and give Shannen one less thing to worry about in these horrifically, troubling times.”

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