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'It pulled her under so quickly' - Family of drowned Dublin teen speak of 'gut wrenching grief'

Exclusive: The 15-year-old's body was recovered from the water off the coast of Burrow Beach in north Dublin on Sunday evening.

[Abbie Carmody-Pepper who drowned in Howth]

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Abbie Carmody-Pepper who drowned in Howth

The family of a teenager who drowned last weekend have opened up about the gut-wrenching grief theyve experienced since the tragedy.

Abbie Carmody-Peppers body was recovered from the water following a search operation involving the gardai, the Coast Guard and the RNLI off the coast of Burrow Beach in Sutton, north Dublin, on Sunday evening.

The 15-year-old from Ballymun had headed to the popular swim spot with pals to celebrate finishing Transition Year and to mark the beginning of summer.

Abbies aunt, Joanne Carmody, explained that the group entered the water around 6pm. After a few minutes, her pals looked around and noticed Abbie was missing.

They had assumed she had gotten out of the water and was walking along the sand - unaware she had been sucked underwater and dragged by a riptide.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Joanne explained: "Apparently, that part of the beach is known for riptides.

"After so many feet, when you walk out, there is a dangerous channel there. It looks like they walked out, and unfortunately, the undercurrent pulled Abbie in.

"Some people in the area have said there have been a few accidents in the same spot. Its a notorious spot.

"One local woman told me that anytime there is trouble in the water, its in the exact same spot."

[The tragedy took place on Burrow Beach on Sunday]

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The tragedy took place on Burrow Beach on Sunday

Joanne continued: "Abbie could swim, it was just the rip current in that spot that pulled her under.

"It pulled her under so quickly so when her friends looked around, and they couldnt see her, they thought she was gone walking on the sand.

"They walked up to the sand to look for her. It didnt even cross their minds that she could have went under the water - thats how quick it happens. Thats what caught everybody off guard.

"You would assume that when you looked around, you would have definitely seen her, but thats not the case, thats not the reality and thats where time was lost to retrieve her."

Joanne also said it was incredibly frustrating that lifeguards are only on duty on the beach in June, July and August.

She said it was well known that last weekend was going to be warm, and Public Order Gardai were even on duty to deal with the crowds.

But she cant understand why the council did not decide to put lifeguards on duty.

[ A bunch of roses were left on Burrow Beach, Sutton in memory of a teenage girl who died off Burrow Beach ]

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A bunch of roses were left on Burrow Beach, Sutton in memory of a teenage girl who died off Burrow Beach

Joanne added: "They had public order gardai for crowd control, but they didnt have lifeguards.

The council putting a lifeguard up (in June, July and August), its like closing the door after the horse has bolted. God forgive me if you get into trouble in May, youre on your own.

Asked how the family are coping, Joanne explained: Its that gut-wrenching grief.

Theres no word for it, its just gut-wrenching. Its my sisters child, but to watch a mother go through that gut-wrenching grief of losing a child, there are no words. I havent got a word for it no mother ever wants to identify a child.

Joanne said Abbie was very quiet and soft but said she had a real big heart and was so easy-going.

Her cousin Aoife Keogh added: She was so young, its sad, were all cousins, we would hang out together at family gatherings.

She was so nice, she was a quiet girl. She was so pretty, it was her 16th birthday next month.

There was a good few of her friends down there as well - just having a normal day down at the beach. Its just such a tragic accident. Its so heartbreaking.

Joanne said she wants parents to speak to their children about what happened to Abbie.

She said: Id say to any parent reading the article, show this to your kid and just say look, be careful.

I know kids dont listen to parents, but if parents want to say Look, this can happen.

This is something you always read about happening to someone else. You dont take it seriously until it hits your house. This can happen, and people need to be careful.

The family have also set up a donation page to help with funeral costs.

Joanne said: This was such a tragic and sudden event. Nobody is prepared for this, and thats the reason why were doing the GoFundMe. Not everybody will be able to donate, but if you can even share, that would help.

Abbies funeral will take place at the Church of The Holy Spirit, Sillogue Road on Friday before she is buried in Dardistown Cemetery.

The Irish Mirror contacted Fingal County Council for comment.

Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here.

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