The Leaving Cert student who died after the car she was driving hit a wall and entered a river in Co Tipperary has been named as Brónagh English from Clonmel.
Tributes have been paid to the 18-year-old, who attended Rockwell College, following the incident at Kilaldry Bridge in the townland of Kilmoyler.
Gardaí were alerted after Ms English failed to return to her home on Thursday.
It is understood her Ford Fiesta hit a low wall and flipped into the Aherlow river, where it was discovered in the early hours of Friday.
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A Garda sub aqua team later located Ms English and her body was recovered from the river at about 5am. She was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was taken to Tipperary University Hospital (TUH) where a postmortem will be carried out.
Declan Burgess, a Fine Gael councillor and cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, said the community had been left stunned by the “incredibly sad news”.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the girl’s family as she passed away so tragically. The emergency services have also to be thanked for their help,” he said.
Clonmel-based Fine Gael councillor John Fitzgerald said he knows Ms English’s family “well” and that she was a “beautiful and highly respected person”.
Ms English is the eldest of four children, with two of her siblings also attending Rockwell College and a younger sibling in primary school.
The sixth-year student previously played for Moyle Rovers Ladies Football club, which said members were “very shocked and deeply saddened” by the news of her death.
“As we mourn the very sad passing of a talented young life and former player our sympathies go out to Brónagh’s family and we will do all we can to help and support them in whatever way we can,” the club said. “May Brónagh rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers to her heartbroken family.”
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with relevant camera footage, to contact Cahir Garda station on (052) 7445630.
The Irish Contemporary ballet school, AOK-DANCE, based in Clonmel said: “We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic death of Brónagh English, a former ballet student of the school.
“She was such a beautiful girl, always with a smile on her face, and full of talent. There really are no words. Thoughts are with her family and friends at this very sad time. May Brónagh rest in peace.”
