The loss of the 12-year-old girl, who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a river in Co Tipperary, has left a profound impact on the local community.
Freya Tobin was taken from the River Suir at the edge of the village of Newcastle yesterday afternoon and airlifted to Cork University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
She has been described as a "bright, kind and spirited young person" by her school principal.
The incident unfolded as a group of young girls were enjoying the good weather and playing at a local swimming spot just off the Suir Blueway in Newcastle.
The village is located about halfway between the towns of Cahir and Clonmel.
Freya and a friend are understood to have got into difficulty at around 4.20pm due to the strong currents in the water.
The alarm was raised when Freya did not make it back to land.
From early this morning, floral tributes were laid close to where the incident occurred.
Freya was 'kind and spirited'
Claire Moloney, Principal of Scoil Mhuire Caisleán Nua, where Freya had recently completed sixth class, described the incident as a "terrible tragedy".
Ms Moloney said: "We are deeply saddened by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Freya's family and friends".
Freya graduated from sixth class on 20 June, with Ms Moloney saying she was a "bright, kind and spirited young person whose warmth and laughter brought joy to so many".
"Freya had a gentle way of making others feel seen and included. Whether it was through a kind word in the playground, a helping hand in the school, her trojan work as President of our student council or simply a smile that lifted spirits, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her," she said.
The school has been in contact with Freya's family, who, Ms Moloney said, "requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time".
"Offers of support having been pouring in since yesterday evening and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our critical incident management plan.
"We are being supported by our parish priest, Fr Michael Toomey and our local NEPS psychologist."
There was a prayer service this afternoon for Freya in Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle.
The school opened today to provide support services to pupils, parents and staff, and it will continue to do so over the coming days.
"As a school community we will continue to support one another through this difficult time," Ms Moloney said.
Fr Toomey, Parish Priest of Ardfinnan and Newcastle parishes, said the feeling in the community was one of "absolute shock, disbelief and devastation".
He said: "It's a very lovely community here in Newcastle. We all kind of gel together and look out for one another, and it's really hit us to the core, what's happened here in the last 24 hours".
Speaking after this afternoon's prayer service, Fr Toomey also said the tributes to Freya continue to pour in.
"A little friend of hers brought flowers to the altar this morning, just as a way of saying she was my friend.
"I think today's service was more so for the community to help each other because obviously Freya has just left sixth class so she has a lot of friends in the school, and those who have left the school, and also to support the parents because obviously parents are feeling quite anxious at this time and very worried," Fr Toomey said.
He added: "So, we want to give the support to the parents in how to support their children. But as I say, Newcastle is such a tight-knit community at the best of times that we will really come together and support one another in the days ahead."
A family fun day scheduled to take place in the village this weekend has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
'Dark cloud'
Independent Tipperary County Councillor and Newcastle native, Máirín McGrath said despite the good weather, a "dark cloud" hangs over the village.
She said: "It's hard to put into words, really, what has happened here in the village, and such beautiful weather that our whole community was enjoying, and the tragedy that struck yesterday evening. You know, it's just unthinkable.
"We're so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country and on the banks of the River Suir, and when young people go to enjoy themselves in the good weather, it's the last thing that you really think would happen.
"The tragedy is insurmountable, and despite the good weather, there's a deep sense of sadness and a dark cloud over the village today," Councillor McGrath added.
Freya's funeral will take place next week after which she will be laid to rest in Newcastle Cemetery.
