'Bubbly' little girl killed in Cork beach tragedy named amid heartbreaking tributes

The young girl who died in a freak drowning tragedy on a beach in Co Cork on Tuesday afternoon has been named as seven-year-old Emily Roman.

Emily was on Fountainstown Beach, near Crosshaven, Co Cork as families enjoyed the 25C weather, when tragedy struck.

It's understood a number of children were playing in or near shallow water on the popular beach when a larger wave swept the girl out into deeper water.

A three-hour search took place and the girl's body was found at 7.45pm.

The young girl's family are originally from Eastern Europe but have been living locally in Crosshaven where the community has been plunged into morning.

She has been remembered today as "kind, with a bubbly personality" and a "beautiful smile." Emily would have celebrated her eighth birthday this week on Thursday.

Templebreedy National School, Crosshaven, the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, as Patron of the school, the school Principal, Doris Bryan, and the Chairperson of the Board of Management, Michael Hodder, issued a statement on Wednesday and led tributes.

"The entire school community in our small Church of Ireland school in Crosshaven, County Cork, together with the local parish and community, are in shock and are utterly devastated at the death of our 2nd class pupil Emily Roman.  Most of all we are all heartbroken for Emily’s family and loved ones," it read.

"Emily would have been eight years old tomorrow. Emily and her twin brother Jeremy have been in our school since they joined Junior Infants in 2020."

Doris Bryan, the school principal, who is also Emily’s class-teacher in second class, describes her as “kind, with a bubbly personality," adding that "she had a beautiful smile."

"She was greatly loved by everyone and was very popular with all her friends. She was also very artistic and a gifted young girl.  On behalf of the school I extend our deepest sympathies to Emily’s parents, Marta and Slawomir, her older sister Inga and her twin brother Jeremy," Principal Bryan continued.

She added: "We are doing our best at the moment to make our school a safe space for all our school community to be together and to support each other as we remember Emily and come to terms with what has happened.   Again our primary focus, for Emily’s sake, is with her family and loved ones."

The school has implemented its Critical Incident Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are on site and supporting the school community.

"We are also being supported by our local clergy and our bishop who are here too," Ms Bryan said.

Bishop Paul Colton, patron of the school, said: "Most of us cannot begin to imagine the suffering that this family must now be going through. We are all, however, in shock and devastated. On behalf of us all in the Church of Ireland, in general, and in connection with Templebreedy National School and Templebreedy Parish, in particular, I too extend our sincere sympathy to everyone in the Roman family, to Emily’s mother, Marta, father Slawomir, twin brother Jeremy, and older sister Inga.

"A tragedy like this is having a traumatic effect also on this small parish school at the start of this new school year, and also the wider community. I am visiting the school this morning and throughout the day. Practical support and prayers are assured for everyone in the school community, for Emily’s family, her fellow students, the school Principal, Doris Bryan, the teachers, staff, parents/guardians and members of the Board of Management. 

"I extend sympathy to you all. I am also very conscious of the role played by the first responders, some of whom I know personally, and everyone in the rescue services and I’m conscious of the impact a tragedy such as this has on each of them as individuals.

"My thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Funerals details for Emily have not yet been announced by her family.