Body of eight-year-old girl recovered from water after search operation off Cork coast

Emergency services searching for an eight-year-old girl who went missing off the coast of Fountainstown, Co Cork on Tuesday afternoon have found her body.

The young girl was playing in the water with two friends before she got into difficulty. She was reported missing around 4.30pm.

Her body was later recovered around 7.45pm, a short distance from the coastline.

It is understood the girl lived in Crosshaven with her family, and attended a local school. The girl’s parents are originally from Poland, but have lived in the locality for over a decade.

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Local Fine Gael councillor Jack White, who attended the beach at Fountainstown on Tuesday, said the community was “completely numb and shocked” in the wake of the incident.

Cllr White noted that the young girl’s death follows two other recent local tragedies.

Two weeks ago, in nearby Passage West, 14-year-old Jack O’Sullivan lost his life after getting into difficulty while swimming.

A week prior to that, eight-year-old André Ladeiro was killed in Carriagline after being struck by a car while out cycling.

Three tragic incidents in quick succession was a lot for any community to go through, Cllr White said.

Cllr White paid tribute to the emergency services who attended the scene of Tuesday’s tragedy. Many of those who responded at Fountainstown Beach on Tuesday were present at the other tragic incidents in previous weeks, he said. “That’s incredibly difficult for them to take, on a human level.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley, who attended the scene on Tuesday, also paid tribute to the emergency services.

“I just think the community is in shock, I’ve met many of them out there tonight. It’s just such a tragedy.

“Crosshaven is a great community, and everyone will rally around like they have already, but it’s just going to be a long process for the family,” she said.

Gardaí confirmed that at approximately 7.45pm on Tuesday evening, the child’s body was recovered from the water.

“The body of the child will be removed from the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem will take place,” a Garda spokesperson said. “The coroner has been notified.”

The extensive search operation was led by Valentia Coast Guard with Coast Guard helicopter R115. They were assisted by Garda units from nearby stations of Crosshaven and Carrigaline, Crosshaven Coast Guard, Crosshaven RNLI, Ballycotton RNLI, Mallow River Rescue, fire services and customs officers.

Earlier on Tuesday, a man in his 80s died after getting into difficulty in the water at Curracloe Beach, Co Wexford.

After the alarm was raised, the man was removed from the water and received medical assistance on the beach. He was later pronounced dead on the scene.

The incident was attended by gardaí and emergency service, including a Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter unit.

The man’s body was later removed from the scene. “A file is being prepared for the coroner,” a Garda spokesperson said.