Northern Ireland

Eight people die in water tragedies across island of Ireland during the past week

The RNLI has appealed for people to exercise care in the water
The RNLI has appealed for people to exercise care in the water The RNLI has appealed for people to exercise care in the water

A CO Down woman who lost her life while swimming near Kilkeel is the eighth person to die in water tragedies across the island of Ireland during the past week.

Sharon Perry is understood to have been open water swimming close to Kilkeel harbour on Saturday around 7.30am when the tragedy happened.

In a statement posted on social media, her family thanked "all of the members of the emergency services who worked so hard today with such a tragic end".

"Their members were very kind, compassionate and professional and won't be forgotten by any of us," they said.

"The PSNI, coastguard, the lifeboat, ambulance service and the helicopter.

"Also a very sincere thanks to the very kind gentleman who tried to save her and raised the alarm."

A funeral notice for Ms Perry from Kilkeel said she was the "dearly loved" wife of James and "devoted mother" to Lynda and William. She is believed to be aged in her early 60s.

Independent councillor Henry Reilly said: "I am told she was out open water swimming early on Saturday when it happened. It is very sad and such a tragedy.

"She was a very gentle, quiet and well-liked person and the community is shocked by her death.

"She would have always said hello, there is disbelief that something like this could happen."

Mr Reilly said her death "once again highlights the dangers of the water".

"I would appeal to people to exercise care while in the water, there are so many dangers out there."

In another tragedy on the water, an elderly man’s body was discovered at Brantry Lough in Eglish, Co Tyrone.

The man was named locally as Robert Milligan from the Knocknacloy/Tullygiven area.

A tribute posted online described him as "one of the best producers of vegetables grown to highest quality and supplier to many small local shops in the surrounding area"

"He was a very well informed, intelligent and quiet man who will be missed by his neighbours and family," the tribute said.

Police said: "A post mortem is due to take place, but at this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious".

The recent deaths bring to eight the number of people who have died in water across the island of Ireland over the past week.

A man in his 60s died after swimming off Dollymount Strand in north Dublin on Friday.

Three adults also died in three separate incidents in Co Fermanagh, on the Longford-Cavan border, and in Co Leitrim.

A 15-year-old boy lost his life after getting into difficulty in Lough Sheelin, at a meeting point of counties Westmeath, Meath and Cavan on Tuesday, while Jay Moffett (13) died after going into water in Scarva, Co Down on Monday.

The deaths prompted the RNLI to warn of the potential dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers.

Kevin Rahill of the RNLI told the BBC: "They can be potentially dangerous in the fact that they can be rather deep - fresh water is normally colder than sea water.

"And there can be hidden dangers as well, hidden obstacles in waters like that that can trap people and make it difficult for people to move around.

"And also very often in lakes and rivers and reservoirs getting in and out can be a bit more difficult than a beach."

Meanwhile, six people - including four young boys - have also died in a series of tragic incidents in waters in Scotland.

Two adults and a child died, while a seven-year-old boy is fighting for his life after getting into difficulty in the water near to Pulpit Rock at Loch Lomond on Saturday evening.

The victims were a 29-year-old woman, a 41-year-old man and a nine-year-old boy.

A 16-year-old boy also died in the water at Balloch Country Park, at the south end of Loch Lomond, on Friday.

An 11-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene after being found in the river at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire on Saturday and the body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered from the water Hazelbank in Lanark.