Body of man in his 30s recovered from River Lee in Cork city

The body of a man was recovered from the River Lee this evening.

A search and rescue operation was launched but one man, aged in his 30s, has died.

Victor Shine, second officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, told The Echo the incident was “a terrible tragedy”.

“Two people were swimming from one side of Pope’s Quay to the other. One person made it to the other side and raised the alarm. But sadly, the other person did not make it to safety,” he said. 

“It was a tragedy. The deceased is a man in his 30s.”

The Coast Guard, Rescue 117, Crosshaven Lifeboat, and Cork Missing Persons Search and Recovery were also on the scene, as well as two ambulances and a large number of gardaí.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Echo they received reports of a man in difficulty in the River Lee at Pope’s Quay at approximately 7pm.

"Gardaí and responding emergency services commenced a search and rescue operation.

"The search was concluded a short time later following the recovery of the body of a man, aged in his 30s.

"The local coroner has been notified and arrangements will now be made for a post-mortem examination."

Caitríona Twomey, of Cork Penny Dinners, described the incident as “a terrible tragedy in the heart of our city”.

“It is, however, a fine example of everyone coming together ... to try and help in a terrible moment of tragedy,” she added.