Heartbreak as the 25-year-old mum-of-two’s body recovered in Sligo river weeks after Christmas disappearance

In a devastating turn of events, a body has been discovered in the search for Stephanie Sweeney, a 25-year-old mother of two, who went missing after falling into Sligo’s Garavogue River just days before Christmas.

Stephanie was last seen on December 22, and major search efforts were launched over the Christmas period to locate the young woman. The extensive operation involved An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces, Sligo Bay RNLI, the Rescue 118 Coastguard helicopter crew, River Moy Search and Rescue, Boyne River Rescue, Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue, and Rockcorry Divers.

Thousands of volunteers joined the search, gathering at the Village Inn car park in Sligo, tirelessly conducting searches during low tides.

River Moy Search And Rescue expressed their condolences to Stephanie’s family and friends after a body was recovered in the Sligo Bay area. Their Facebook post read, “We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Stephanie Sweeney in Sligo.”

Heartbroken family members, including Lauren Sweeney, took to social media to pay tribute to Stephanie. Lauren expressed her disbelief and grief, writing, “I can’t believe it after 18 days you were found. We searched morning, noon, and night for you with no stopping.”

Stephanie’s boyfriend, Michael Corcoran, shared his sorrow, recalling the tragic incident. He mentioned standing on the bridge, waiting for a taxi, when Stephanie, engaged in conversation, suddenly found herself in the water. Despite immediate efforts to locate a lifeboat, Stephanie disappeared underwater within moments.

Describing Stephanie as an “amazing” and “full of energy” person, Michael emphasized her role as a fantastic mother to her two boys. Friends and family now grapple with the heart-wrenching reality of Stephanie’s passing, cherishing her memory as a positive, spontaneous, and deeply loved individual.

As the community mourns the loss of Stephanie Sweeney, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent recovery remain a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.