The body of an eight-year-old girl has been recovered from the water off the Co Cork coast after an extensive search operation.
Gardaí and emergency services had been taking part in the search for the child, who went missing in the water at Fountainstown Beach, near Crosshaven in Co Cork.
The girl is understood to be from the area. She was swimming with friends when she got into difficulty.
The alarm was raised at around 4.40pm.
A Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon was involved in the search, along with the Coast Guard unit from Crosshaven, the volunteer lifeboat crew from Crosshaven, gardaí, Crosshaven and Carrigaline fire services, customs and Mallow River Rescue.
The body was discovered at around 7.45pm.
A garda spokesperson said that the body has been removed to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will take place.
They added that a coroner has been notified of the death.
