Overwhelming sadness following death of young Ballinrobe mum

There is sense of sadness and grief throughout South Mayo this morning following the passing of Shannon McDonald.

Ms McDonald sadly died yesterday (Sunday) following a battle with cancer.

Shannon was to celebrate her 31st birthday this month and was a young mum to Alanna who is only eight-years-old.

Shannon was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, the following year the cancer had spread near the oesophagus and in 2023 they found it had spread to the collarbone and neck area. She had been receiving a targeted treatment called Herceptin throughout her journey.

Shannon McDonald's father Paul and sister Mariah set up a GoFundMe page to help support her through her long battle with cancer, which raised over €85,000.

They had planned for Shannon to undergo treatment in Spain and Germany.

Mariah paid tribute to her late sister this morning.

“We would like to thank each and every one of you for the support, generosity and kindness. Despite all our planning to get her to Germany and Spain this awful disease didn’t give us enough time and we are devastated to say that our beautiful Shannon passed away Sunday evening surrounded by all her loving family.

“Shannon fought until the very end, she never let this awful disease stop her from doing what she wanted and she kept smiling the whole time through our hearts will be broken forever. Shannon was the light of our life, she brought so much joy into all our lives from the day she was born rest in peace our beautiful angel.”