A 14-year-old girl has been confirmed dead by Gardai after a tragic swimming incident earlier today.
The teenager was taken from the water at Seapoint beach near Termonfeckin, Co Louth to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where she passed away.
It is understood that she was swimming with friends when she got into difficulty.
Sources have said that a massive search operation was launched at 1:30pm and both Clogherhead and Skerries Lifeboats were involved in the operation.
The Dublin-based Rescue 116 Coastguard helicopter was also sent to the scene.
She was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth.
A source said: "The helicopter and lifeboats were patrolling off the beach and the crew of Rescue 116 spotted the woman in the water.
"They took her from the tide and brought her to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda."
A garda spokeswoman said: "Gardai who have been dealing with the incident at Seapoint, Termonfeckin, Co Louth this afternoon where a group of youths were swimming today, Friday, 28th June, 2019 have confirmed the 14-year-old girl has died.
"She was airlifted by Coastguard helicopter to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in a serious condition but has since passed away."
A spokeswoman for the Coastguard said: "Earlier this afternoon (approximately 1.30 pm local time) the Irish Coast Guard were alerted to an incident involving a missing swimmer off of Termonfeckin beach.
"Clogherhead Coastguard Unit/RNLI, Skerries RNLI and R116 were tasked to assist. The casualty was transferred by R116 to HSE Drogheda."
