IRELAND AM star Joe Shannon shared an emotional final post thanking the “true heroes” before his shock death.
The celebrity chef, who was a regular on Ireland AM, has sadly passed away aged 59 after battling cancer.
He died “peacefully and surrounded by his family” in the loving care of staff at North West Hospice in his native Co Sligo today.
Joe and his singing pal Georgie Gorman, who had also battled cancer, had created a video series called
The Sligo native last posted on the Facebook page on February 11, 2024.
He had just arrived home from being in hospital and took the time to thank everyone for their support.
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The father-of-three took a smiling selfie in bed and wrote: “Hello to all our Facebook friends…
“Joe here and I truly would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all your beautiful messages on FB, letters, cards, other social media outlets, direct phone messages, support personally to Marie and the family, it sincerely means the world to us.
“I came home from hospital on Friday and once again I just cannot thank enough all the services I received at Sligo University Hospital.
“From the ambulance drivers, the Doctors nurses, care attendants, catering and household teams, the cleaners the fellow patients that I had the pleasure to share both wards on surgical North and Oncology Ward.
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“The kindness I received from A&E was just exceptional. Both the Mr Martin and his Oncology team and the Palliative care team who are still involved in looking after me I say a huge thank you.
“I also would like to sincerely thank my GP Doctor Elaine Kenny and all the team at the Drumcliffe Family Practice who are always there for me and the wonderful team at Markevicks Pharmacy Sligo, who provide me with such a fantastic support.
“If I have left anybody out I truly apologise but let me tell you, the people who form part of the Sligo University Hospital Team are true heroes and we are so lucky to have them.”
Joe ended his post with a heartbreaking statement that said: “Now, glad to be home and I look forward to getting stronger.”
Joe was diagnosed with bowel cancer after doctors discovered a blockage in his intestines in March 2021.
He went into Sligo Hospital with cramps on a Saturday and was told he had cancer just three days later.
Unfortunately after getting the all clear earlier last April, Joe found out his cancer had returned.
JOYFUL JOE
He was told that he would need to continue with a lifetime of chemotherapy – six sessions of chemo, stop, assess, scan and then another six session.
Despite the extremely tough time Joe went through, he always remained positive and cheerful.
The Irish star’s Tommy Bowe on the hit morning show.
Joe had opened up about his health battle saying: “I’m going through a bit of a tough time at the minute but I’m going in for chemo today, starting a new batch of six sessions.
“On this road, there can be ups and downs or whatever.
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“At the moment I’m going through some problems internally so they need to check that today.
“But look it, I’m looking down at the grass, I’m upright so things are good. I’m on Ireland AM, what more could I ask for?”