Village 'devastated' after pregnant mother's body found

Residents of a Co Meath village are "devastated" after a 35-year-old pregnant woman was found in the sea near Howth.

Gardaí confirmed yesterday that the body found in Dublin is that of missing woman Anna Byrne from Dunboyne, Co Meath.

The 35-year-old, who was 38 weeks pregnant, was last seen yesterday morning at Beechdale in Dunboyne.

The nurse's body was taken to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, for a post mortem.

Her family was contacted when she failed to collect her son from creche.

Anna was a mother of two boys, one in primary school and the other attending a local childcare centre.

Parish priest Fr Dermot Farrell said people "were just stunned at the tragedy, even those who had never met Anna".

"It is just very sad."

Fine Gael councillor Maria Murphy said Anna’s death was a "terrible tragedy that had everyone in the village upset".

"We don’t know the full story behind Anna’s death, but there are a lot of people under a lot of pressure out there and with kids so young and another two on the way, it’s not always easy for people," she said.

Neighbours yesterday described Anna as a "very private person".

"Our sympathy goes out to her husband and children. The community is devastated," one man said.