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08 Jan 2026

'There are no words' - Donations page set up to bring home Irish man who died in France

20-year-old Cian O'Brien died after falling ill while on a skiing trip in the French Alps

'There are no words' - Donations page set up to bring home Irish man who died in France

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with bringing him the body of Cian O'Brien who tragically died after falling ill while on a skiing trip in the French Alps last weekend.

20-year-old Cian from Tower near Blarney, county Cork, was working as an electrical apprentice with a pharmaceutical company in Cork, had travelled to France with the Cork Snow Sports Society.

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It is believed the young man was socialising with his friends on Sunday night and went to bed. His roommates found him unresponsive the following morning.

The emergency services arrived after the alarm was raised but sadly Cian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The notice on RIP.ie says Cian was the darling son of Paul and Sabrina (nee Ryall) and loving brother of Lauren. Beloved grandson of Tim and Cora Ryall and Irene and the late Derek O’Brien and loving great grandson of the late Nora Ryall.

He will be very sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, sister, grandparents, auntie Ciara, uncle Edward, aunts Norma and Sinead, uncles Sean and Alan, cousins, his many friends especially Luke, Joey, Pod, Tadgh, Cathal, Ted and Sean, relatives and neighbours.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Cian's former school, posted a very heartfelt message on their social media page, conveying their sadness over the young man's death.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs have said they are providing consular assistance to Cian's family and a donations page has now been set up to help with the cost of repatriating his body back home to Ireland.

The message on the GoFundMe page says,

"With the family's agreement can you please show your support for the family of Cian O' Brien who sadly & unexpectedly lost their beloved son/ brother /grandson while on a trip to France.

"Your generosity will assist the family of Cian in bringing him home & laying him to rest along with any other additional & unexpected costs. Please show your support for Cian's family at this heartbreaking time."

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The page has already raised nearly €50,000 out of a €70,000 goal.

You can donate here 

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