The death of a 12-yr-old girl, who lost her life after encountering difficulties while swimming in a river in Co Tipperary, has deeply affected the local community, reports RTE.
Freya Tobin was pulled from the River Suir on the outskirts of the village of Newcastle yesterday afternoon and was airlifted to Cork University Hospital, where she was later declared dead.
Her school principal described her as a “bright, kind and spirited young person,” reports RTE.
The tragedy occurred as a group of young girls were enjoying the sunshine and swimming at a well-known local spot just off the Suir Blueway in Newcastle.
The village is situated roughly midway between the towns of Cahir and Clonmel, reports RTE.
Freya and another girl reportedly ran into trouble at approximately 4.20pm due to strong river currents.
The emergency services were alerted when Freya failed to return to shore.
From early this morning, people began placing floral tributes near the scene of the tragedy, reports RTE.
Claire Moloney, the Principal of Scoil Mhuire Caisleán Nua, where Freya had just completed sixth class, called the event a “terrible tragedy”.
Ms Moloney said: “We are deeply saddened by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Freya’s family and friends”, reports RTE.
Freya graduated from sixth class on 20 June. Ms Moloney described her as a “bright, kind and spirited young person whose warmth and laughter brought joy to so many”.
“Freya had a gentle way of making others feel seen and included. Whether it was through a kind word in the playground, a helping hand in the school, her trojan work as President of our student council or simply a smile that lifted spirits, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her,” she said, reports RTE.
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The school has spoken with Freya’s family, who, Ms Moloney noted, “requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time”.
“Offers of support having been pouring in since yesterday evening and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our critical incident management plan. We are being supported by our parish priest, Fr Michael Toomey and our local NEPS psychologist,” reports RTE.
A prayer service in memory of Freya was held this afternoon in Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle.
The school opened its doors today to offer support to students, parents and staff, and will continue to provide these services over the coming days, reports RTE.
“As a school community we will continue to support one another through this difficult time,” Ms Moloney said, reports RTE.
Fr Toomey, the Parish Priest of Ardfinnan and Newcastle, said the local community is experiencing “absolute shock, disbelief and devastation”.
He said: “It’s a very lovely community here in Newcastle. We all kind of gel together and look out for one another, and it’s really hit us to the core, what’s happened here in the last 24 hours,” reports RTE.
Following today’s prayer service, Fr Toomey mentioned that tributes to Freya have continued to be offered.
“A little friend of hers brought flowers to the altar this morning, just as a way of saying she was my friend. I think today’s service was more so for the community to help each other because obviously Freya has just left sixth class so she has a lot of friends in the school, and those who have left the school, and also to support the parents because obviously parents are feeling quite anxious at this time and very worried,” Fr Toomey said, reports RTE.
He added: “So, we want to give the support to the parents in how to support their children. But as I say, Newcastle is such a tight-knit community at the best of times that we will really come together and support one another in the days ahead,” reports RTE.
A family fun day that had been planned for this weekend in the village has been cancelled as a sign of respect.
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