A friend of a mum who died after vanishing during a hen party has said she was “blessed” to call her a pal.

Ruth Maguire's body was found on Monday. The 30-year-old had been celebrating at a hen party in the Co Louth coastal village on Saturday night.

Michelle McCabe said she was lucky to have known the mum of three, reports the Irish Mirror .

Posting a photo of herself alongside the 30-year-old and her sister Rachel, Ms McCabe said: “Ruth was a very special girl who touched a lot of hearts.

“I feel blessed to have had her as a friend. Heart is breaking for you all.”

Another pal wrote: “You look so alike. It’s just devastating, incomprehensible and so unfair.”

It is believed Ruth, who was originally from Belfast but lived in Newcastle, Co Down, fell into the water and drowned after leaving Taaffe’s Bar.

Her body was discovered close to Haulbowline Lighthouse at the entrance to the lough.

A friend raised the alarm after arriving back to the group’s accommodation to find Ruth missing. SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said: “The pain of her passing has been felt so acutely by the whole community.

“In the days, months and years ahead I have no doubt the strong and caring community of South Down will rally behind these families  as they come to terms with their grief.”

Ruth had left her coat in the bar when she separated from pals on Saturday night.

She posted a photograph of the lough on Instagram at around midnight but when her fiance tried to get in contact, her phone was turned off.

Bridesmaid Katrina O’Hare said: “We thought she was going to head home because she had said to a bouncer she was going to get to Newcastle from here but her partner and kids were at her mum’s house in Ligoniel.”

Nathan Leneghan of the RNLI said it was a “sad time”.

He added: “At 12.10pm on Monday Newcastle RNLI commenced a search at the entrance to Carlingford Lough and outlying islands.

“During this search the lifeboat located a casualty in the water who was taken to Greenore Harbour by Kilkeel lifeboat and placed in the care of An Garda Siochana.

“On behalf of Newcastle RNLI, I wish our deepest sympathy to the family  and friends of the woman who was recovered from the water.”

Bryansford GAC, of which Ruth was a member, also paid tribute on Tuesday.

In a statement they wrote: “As a club and community, we are deeply saddened and devastated to hear of the tragic passing of our underage coach, Ruth Maguire. We convey our deepest and heartfelt sympathies.

“We are all in a state of shock. It is important we keep together and support each other through this difficult time.”

A member of Maghera parish centre said there have been no funeral arrangements confirmed as yet.

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