The body of Jonathan Dowdall (7), of River Valley, Swords, Co Dublin, was recovered at Bannow Bay, Co Wexford, yesterday, 12 days after the drowning tragedy in which he and his uncle lost their lives.
The body was spotted by a local woman around noon near New Quay, on the eastern side of the bay. The Irish Marine Emergency Service arranged with local gardai to recover the body.
Coastal rescue units, backed up by an Air Corps helicopter, had been searching for Jonathan, who has been missing since August 11th, when a family party got into difficulties on the sands of Bannow Bay.
Jonathan, his uncle, Michael Gaffney (52), of Riverside Park, Coolock, Dublin, and Mr Gaffney's son, Raymond Gaffney (13), were trapped by an incoming tide as they picked cockles. Raymond managed to make it ashore on the western side of the bay and raised the alarm. The body of Mr Gaffney was found that evening.
After a positive identification yesterday, Jonathan's body was taken to Wexford General Hospital.