Girl, 12, dies after getting into difficulty swimming in River Suir

The incident occurred at a local swimming spot shortly after 4pm in the village of Newcastle, which is located close to The Vee Pass and Ballymacarbry.

A 12-year-old girl has died after getting into difficulty in the water in Co Tipperary.

Emergency services were called to the scene at River Suir, Newcastle, which is located close to The Vee Pass and Ballymacarbry at around 4.20pm on Friday.

The local swimming spot is along the Suir Blueway, and she had been swimming with a number of others when the tragedy occurred.

Emergency services and gardaí rushed to the scene, and the girl was transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) by the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter after being recovered from the water at around 4.45pm.

In a statement on Friday night, gardaí said the girl has since passed away.

It is understood that the girl is from the village of Newcastle and her family are well-known in the area. She has just completed sixth class.

A file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court.