Mystery still surrounds identity of body found dead on Tyrella beach

The discovery was made around 3.10pm on Tuesday.

As speculation about the woman on social media claimed her body had swept down from Dublin, a spokesman from the Garda Siochana said they had been liaising in the PSNI “in an effort to identify the person”.

He added that the woman had not yet been identified.

It understood the body is that of a middle-aged woman.

On Tuesday a PSNI spokesman said: “Police are in attendance at the find of a body on a beach in Newcastle at approximately 3.10pm on Tuesday 2 February. There are no further details at this time.”

Today DUP Councillor for the area William Walker said: “For some reason this has all been kept very hush hush.

“Some of the speculation that I have heard is that her body swept in from far afield and the PSNI have said nothing.

“I don’t hink that anyone has been reported missing in the area either.

“But at the end of the day she is someone’s loved one and my heart goes out to the family whoever they may be.”

Earlier South Down MLA Chris Hazzard said the discovery of the woman’s body on Tyrella’s east strand has “shocked and saddened” the local community.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of this woman at this sad and difficult time,” he said.

And earlier South Down MP Margaret Ritchie added that the body find “has brought immense shock and sadness to the local community”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with this woman’s family and friends to whom I wish to extend my deepest sympathies.

“I commend the great work of our emergency services including the Coastguard at this tragic time.”