Mallow woman swept to sea in Vietnam by freak wave

The woman who died on holiday in Asia has been named locally as Stephanie Hartnett of Mallow, Co Cork.

Ms Hartnett, who was in her 60s, died on Saturday when she was swept out to sea by a freak wave as she holidayed with friends in Vietnam.

Onlookers made attempts to save Ms Hartnett, but she was pronounced dead when brought ashore.

Ms Hartnett, a native of Adare, Co Limerick, was the director of the Anchor Treatment Centre, a service for people affected by addictions.

The centre was due to host the launch of a fundraising run on Monday night, but the event was cancelled on news of Ms Hartnett’s death.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie’s family and friends,” the centre said in a statement.

Cork County Mayor John Paul O’Shea said that Ms Hartnett was very active in the community.

“It is an awful tragedy. She was very active in the Anchor Centre, Rotary and was very involved in the Thomas Davis bicentenary celebrations in Mallow last year,” he said.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sean Sherlock said that the department is providing assistance through its consul in Hanoi.