Post mortem due on eight-year-old

A post mortem is due to get underway around now on the body of an eight-year-old boy found dead on a beach in Co Wicklow.

Garda Superintendent Philip Moynihan confirmed the death was being regarded as ‘‘very suspicious’’.

The body was discovered on Greystones' North Beach.

It is understood that the boy's mother was found close by and is currently receiving hospital treatment.

The boy was found face down in water last night and Gardai confirmed that he had been reported missing by his father two hours earlier.

The boy's identity will not be revealed until family members have been informed.