An Irish family suffered double tragedy last night after a grieving woman drowned while scattering her sister's ashes into the sea.

The woman, believed to be in her 40s, was with a male companion on a cliff path at Ballyconneely on the Connemara coast just after lunchtime yesterday when she either slipped or was swept in to the sea and drowned.

Strong winds were blowing at the time the tragic accident occurred.

The woman's body was later washed up on the shore a short distance away.

Gardai were not releasing the woman's name until all relatives had been informed.

Last night, the Irish Coastguard issued a warning to the public as a gale warning from Met Eireann remained in effect.

Strong gales were developing on all Irish coastal waters and were expected to reach storm force 10 overnight and today. Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds said: "The public is strongly advised not to go out on exposed coasts, cliffs, piers, harbour walls, beaches, promenades or any other coastal area during the inclement weather."

Belfast Telegraph