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Freya Tobin, aged 12. RIP.ie

Tipperary community rallies behind family of Freya Tobin to raise funeral costs

Twelve-year-old Freya was out swimming with a friend in the River Suir on Friday when she got into difficulty in the water, passing away later that day.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY in Freya Tobin’s Newcastle in Co Tipperary have rallied behind her family following her tragic death on Friday.

Twelve-year-old Freya was out swimming with a friend in the River Suir when she got into difficulty in the water. The tragic incident took place at around 4:20pm.

She was flown to Cork University Hospital in a serious condition, but later died.

A GoFundMe has been set up to fundraise for the costs of the funeral, which has been listed on the page as being scheduled for 16 July. No formal funeral arrangements have been announced. 

On the page, Kayleigh Tobin, the organiser, wrote that on Friday, their lives drastically changed forever.

“Freya was the kindest, most gentle soul to grace the community of Newcastle. 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.”

Kayleigh wrote about Freya’s sense of humour and her close relationship with her family.

“Her death leaves behind a wave of deep sorrow and regret. The kind that such a small community will never truly recover 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 [Freya's mother] one less thing to worry about in these horrifically, troubling times.”

Freya had just finished sixth class at Scoil Mhuire. Her former principal, Claire Moloney, said that she was a “bright, kind and spirited young person”, who had a “gentle way of making others feel seen and included”.

“We have been in contact with her family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time,” Moloney said. “Offers of support having been pouring in since Friday evening and are greatly appreciated.”

A prayer service was held yesterday in Our Lady of the assumption Church in Newcastle. The school opened its doors to students and their parents after the service to offer support, and the school has implemented a management plan, supported by the parish priest Fr Micheal Toomey and the local NEPS psychologist.

“We are deeply saddened by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Freya’s
family and friends,” Moloney said.

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jul 13th 2025, 6:04 PM

    Just had a look at the GoFundMe, A €60k funeral? As genuinely tragic as the wee girls’ loss is, is it a state funeral they’re looking to lay on, with outriders and 21 gun salute? The average cost of a funeral in Ireland is between €3-10k, the latter with all the bells and whistles. I’m absolutely all for helping people out in times of tragedy, amd especially where the main bread winner is incapacitated temporarily or permanently, but they should not be taking advantage of people’s generosity My feeling is GoFundMe should cap donations based on location and intended purpose…

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Jul 13th 2025, 6:17 PM

    @Sea Point: Good lord, the mentality of people on this site.

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    Mute Kieran Henry
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    Jul 13th 2025, 6:46 PM

    @Sea Point: I agree 100%

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Jul 13th 2025, 7:28 PM

    @Sea Point: perhaps some of the money will be used for other purposes or did that not cross your t1ny, self1sh bra1n.

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jul 13th 2025, 7:44 PM

    @Daniel Wilson: ok my tiny selfish brain is genuinely curious, so say funeral costs roughly €20k for a top end event (double the maximum Irish average), what other things cost €40k where the actual victim isn’t the familial bread winner? Counselling is available free of charge, plus loads of financial support available from the state also if required. Why is loss an automatic reason these days to take advantage of people’s generosity? It’s entirely a 21st century construct…

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jul 13th 2025, 8:02 PM

    @Sea Point: I see the target is reduced back down to €20k now, a totally more reasonable sum, with €37k already donated…

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    Mute Paul Phoenix
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    Jul 13th 2025, 8:06 PM

    @Sea Point: There is something wrong with you bud, I would hope you will see that someday or someone close to you will tell you.

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    Mute Ann neylan
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    Jul 13th 2025, 8:25 PM

    @Sea Point: I’ve just checked and it’s a €20 target…. not €60.

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jul 13th 2025, 8:50 PM

    @Ann neylan: it was €60k about an hour ago…

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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Jul 13th 2025, 9:15 PM

    @Sea Point: Disgraceful comment,hopefully you don’t have any children !

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 13th 2025, 10:19 PM

    @Sea Point: I don’t care or give a flying Fk what the target is or was. You can’t put a price on a person’s life. People won’t donate if they don’t want to,if €60,000 is raised,all well and good. The funeral costs will be covered,and anything left over will help compensate the family for this tragic loss.

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    Mute Brian
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    Jul 14th 2025, 12:25 AM

    @Sea Point: It’s not “entirely a 21st century construct”. Clearly you’ve never heard of ” money for the wake” which was a long standing tradition. Keep your ill informed opinions to yourself.. and have a modicum of respect for the child that tragically lost her life and her grieving family.

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Jul 14th 2025, 9:25 AM

    @Sea Point: I don’t see what business it is of yours, how much is donated. Imagine ranting about a GoFundMe for a 12 years girl who lost her life in tragic circumstances. You must have nothing else to be doing if you’re going in to check how much it raised a number of times. People are willing to donate and choose to do so. Nobody is taking “advantage” of the nature of good people. Go away a get a hobby or something. Sad life you have.

    Rest In Peace, Freya.

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jul 14th 2025, 9:33 AM

    @Brian: Whatever about wake donations from family and friends, or local community, which is perfectly valid and reasonable. Did people put a notice in national papers, or international ones for that matter (as GoFundMe has global reach) looking for donations? No, they did not, this is a 21st construct powered by digital media that enables anyone to reach a global audience, which can do real good, but is open to abuse. And it’s not me putting a value on the irreplaceable loss of a child…

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    Mute g m
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    Jul 14th 2025, 12:09 PM

    @Sea Point: I understand where you’re coming from…but now is not the time for that conversation…Read the Room.

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    Mute JoeJoe Kilbride
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    Jul 13th 2025, 5:19 PM

    Devastating, beautiful young girl with her life ahead of her, cannot imagine what her family and friends are going through. RIP

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    Mute Rover
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    Jul 13th 2025, 5:15 PM

    May she rest in peace

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    Mute Michael Heelan
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    Jul 14th 2025, 7:30 AM

    It is so sad that another life has been lost in such a tragic way.May she rest in peacr

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    Mute J McGovern
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    Jul 14th 2025, 1:11 PM

    Rest in Peace, Beautiful Freya.
    Deepest Sympathy to Mum Shanen, little brother Grayson and all who grieve and are traumatised at her tragic loss.
    In the light of such pain for all involved, it is so sad and difficult to see the occasion being used for all the negativity published on this site. It does nothing to reduce the grief and makes it so much more painful for those so closely involved.
    The Journal are culpable for not applying any professional editorial decency and all the negative commentary about money, etc. will make the pain of those who grieve so much worse if they see it.
    So please, Journal, and those who posted those comments, publish heartfelt apologies to Freya’s mother and brother.
    Rest in Peace Freya.

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    Mute jn
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    Jul 14th 2025, 6:51 AM

    lot of big rich farmers around this area that could easy fund this funeral

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    Mute Muffin
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    Jul 16th 2025, 11:38 PM

    @sea point

    I hope to god you never lose a child, I’m a mother who had 2 children die in a car crash with there father, you cannot replace a child or put a price on a child’s life. I know this family and you could not meet a more genuine family if you tried. I’m nearly 1 million percent positive that whatever money is raised will be donated to a charity after funeral expenses. You must live a right miserable life, shame on you

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