Uncle’s words of warning as teenager’s body found

The uncle of Limerick teenager Chloe Kinsella, whose body was recovered from the River Shannon yesterday, made an emotional appeal after the discovery.

“Young girls — please look after yourselves,” said Matthew Franklin. “Look what is after happening a young girl, as young as 15, a child gone. I urge you to just look after yourselves and I urge you to really live your life and just be happy.”

He was speaking at St Munchin’s Community Centre in Kileely to thank the hundreds of local people who helped in the search for Chloe who had been missing since last Saturday.

Chloe’s body was found shortly after 12pm close to Thomond Bridge, less than a mile from her home in Kileely, near Thomond Park rugby grounds.

The scene near Killeely, Limerick, where Chloe’s body was recovered. Pic: Press 22

Hundreds of people had taken part in search parties.

A Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue unit, and search units from Abbeyfeale, Bunratty, Killaloe, and Mallow spent days on the search for Chloe.

Her body was removed to Limerick University Hospital where Chloe was formally identified and an autopsy was carried out.

Gardaí have ruled out foul play.

The late Chloe Kinsella

Supt Daniel Keane, who headed the search, thanked all who assisted them when he addressed more than 200 people at Munchin’s Community Centre.

“You have stood steadfast over recent days and I know you will stand steadfast over the coming days as a community,” said Supt Keane. “Our sympathies go out to the Kinsella family on the tragic loss of Chloe.”

Many people who called to the family home at Kenyon Avenue wept openly.

One woman said: “She was a lovely child, a beautiful girl, with her whole life before her. What can you say? They are a fine family and we hope and pray that the great community support that is here for them will help them through these heartbreaking days.”

Sincere condolences to the family of Chloe Kinsella in Limerick. Heartbreaking.

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) October 4, 2013

Chloe left the family home at around 8.30pm on Saturday, having returned home a short time earlier. Her family said it was totally out of character for Chloe to leave the house without saying it to her parents, Shirley and Kevin.

Her distraught mother, Shirley, said on Monday: “This is killing me. I am broken-hearted that my little girl is missing and we don’t know where she is. We are devastated.

“There was no reason why she should leave home and any news over the past few days that she was found turned out to be false. My heart is broken.”

Fifth-year class mates at St Nessan’s Community College in Moylish were given permission by the school to take part in the search. Posters with her picture were distributed throughout the city.

Chloe’s sister, Linsey, 23 said: “She was very happy last Saturday because she had just got her tickets for the One Direction concert in Dublin next May and was very excited. She had lots of friends. Every night we would have a chat, the two of us, because we are so close. If she wanted to borrow clothes she would come to my room.”