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Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Tragedy as body found washed up on beach as major incident declared
Members of the public were advised to avoid Millisle Beach, in Northern Ireland, after local councillors confirmed a "body has been found" by the sea on Wednesday. A body has tragically been found washed up at a beach sparking a major incident. Emergency services rushed to Milisle beach in County Down, Northern Ireland, on May 21 with a joint response of police, forensics, and coastguard units spotted at the scene. Locals and others planning to visit the beach have been told to avoid the area by Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) representatives while investigations are ongoing, after councillors suggested the body was "brought in from the sea". The Mirror reports that Pete Wray, a local councillor for UUP, said PSNI would need "time and space" to conduct the investigation, adding that his "thoughts and prayers" would be "with the family who will be impacted". Local UUP councillor Pete Wray said: "Sadly I can confirm that a body has been found on Millisle beach this afternoon. Initial reports indicate the body has been brought in from the sea. PSNI remain at the scene and I would ask everyone to give them the time and space to conduct their investigation." "My thoughts and prayers are with the family who will be impacted by this and the individual who found the body." Stephen Dunne, a councillor for North Down DUP MLA, said he was left "shocked" after hearing the news. He added that he also sent his " thoughts and prayers". He said: "I was shocked by the news that a body had been discovered on a quiet beach in Millisle. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. My thoughts and prayers are with this individual's family and friends at this most difficult time." The councillor added that Millisle is a "tight-knit community", and that the grim discovery has caused a "great deal of concern" in the local area. "Millisle is a tight-knit community, and there is understandably a great deal of concern locally after what has been a distressing week for the village. "I will be working with the PSNI to ensure the local community feels safe and reassured, but I would urge everyone to give the Police the space and time needed to conduct their investigations and avoid unnecessary speculation at this time." Pictures from the scene show forensics teams clad in white suits combing through the rocky shores of the beach. PSNI said in an official statement that cordons have been placed as investigators work and reiterated the request for people to avoid the area. In a statement, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police are currently in attendance after a body was found on the beach in the Donaghadee Road area of Millisle today, Wednesday 21st May. Cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area."
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Body discovered at Irish beach as cops cordon off scene & ‘avoid the area' alert issued to public as probe launched
A BODY has been found on an Irish beach sparking a major emergency services incident this afternoon. Police responded to the incident at Donaghadee Road, Millisle village in Advertisement It's understood the person's body was found below the road on the beach by someone who had been walking in the area, who then raised the alarm. The The PSNI said in a statement: "Police are currently in attendance after a body was found on the beach in the Donaghadee Road area of Millisle today, Wednesday 21st May. "Cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area." Advertisement Read more in News Images from the area today showed police officers in forensic gear attending the scene. Ulster Unionist Party Councillor for Ards Peninsula in Ards & North Down Borough Council Pete Wray said the body was "brought in from the sea". He added: "Sadly I can confirm that a body has been found on Millisle beach this afternoon. "Initial reports indicate the body has been brought in from the sea. Advertisement Most read in Irish News "PSNI remain at the scene and I would ask everyone to give them the time and space to conduct their investigation. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family who will be impacted by this and the individual who found the body." 'SHOCKED BY THE NEWS' North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne told the Belfast Telegraph: "I was shocked by the news that a body had been discovered on a quiet beach in Millisle. "My thoughts and prayers are with this individual's family and friends at this most difficult time. Advertisement "Millisle is a tight-knit community, and there is understandably a great deal of concern locally after what has been a distressing week for the village. "I will be working with the PSNI to ensure the local community feels safe and reassured, but I would urge everyone to give the police the space and time needed to conduct their investigations and avoid unnecessary speculation at this time." SEPARATE INCIDENT It comes after two people were rushed to hospital on Saturday, May 17 after a car was driven into a crowd of drinkers at a pub in the same town. The PSNI received a report at around 11.05pm that a car had collided with a number of people outside a licensed premises on Main Street. Advertisement Detective Inspector Oonagh Ryan said: "It was reported that the vehicle involved turned around and drove past the licensed premises again before making off from the scene. "Officers, along with colleagues from NIAS attended the scene and two people were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries, which have been described as serious." The car was later discovered outside Walkers Lane in the town. Cops in Millisle arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and driving offences following the incident. The 47-year-old has since been released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out, the PSNI said. Advertisement 1 A body has been found on an Irish beach sparking a major emergency services incident Credit: Jonathan Porter / Press Eye
