The body of a 21 year old student who drowned while swimming in the River Lee in Cork was yesterday recovered following an extensive search. Brendan O'Mahony, from the Ridgeway, Model Farm Road, Cork, got into difficulties and was dragged under by strong currents while swimming with two friends in the Lee on Monday afternoon.
It is believed Mr O'Mahony - he had just sat his final commerce exams at UCC - got into difficulties when he stepped into a whirlpool at Carrigrohane, two miles west of Cork city. He cried for help and one of his friends, Mr James Trindle, attempted to reach him but got into difficulties in the strong current and lost him.
Both Mr Trindle and the third member of the group, Mr Ronan Phelan, were badly shaken and were taken to Cork University Hospital where they were treated for shock.
Yesterday, Sgt Tim Bowe, of Ballincollig, urged extreme caution when swimming. "We would advise people only to go swimming in places they know to be absolutely safe." He extending the sympathy of gardai to the dead man's family.