A post mortem is due be carried out on the body of an eight-year-girl who died after getting into difficulty off the Cork coast yesterday afternoon.
A search and rescue operation was stood down following the discovery of a body at Fountainstown Beach, near Crosshaven, on Tuesday.
Gardaí received report of a child entering the water at around 4:40pm
An operation was launched involving the Coast Guard, RNLI, Fire Services, Customs, Mallow River Rescue and Garda Units from Crosshaven and Carrigaline Garda stations.
Her body was recovered from the water by emergency services just before 8pm.
The search underway in Co Cork. Picture by: Crosshaven Coast GuardShe was taken from the scene to Cork University Hospital, where a post mortem will take place.
The Coroner has been notified.
Gerard O'Flynn from the Irish Coast Guard said a number of local vessels were also involved in the search.
"Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4.30 Valentia Coastguard was alerted to a report of a young girl getting into difficulties at Fountainstown Beach," he said.
"A search and rescue operation was immediately initiated by Valentia, which included the tasking of the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115, RNLI unit from Crosshaven and the Coast Guard unit from Crosshaven.
"The search was subsequently joined by Ballycotton RNLI and a number of other local vessels.
"After approximately a three and half hour search, the body of the young girl was located and recovered.
"Everybody in the Coast Guard extends their sincere sympathy to the family and friends of this young girl and this very sad time as kids go back to school," he added.
