Cork  is in a “state of shock” after a mother in her 40s died when her car drove into the River Lee, a former Deputy Mayor has said. 

The mother's two boys, aged 10 and 12, were also in the car but were rescued and have since been discharged from hospital into the care of their family. 

The incident took place at Kennedy Quay at roughly 8.45pm yesterday and witnesses dived into the water to rescue the two children. 

The body of their mother and the car were recovered later that night. 

“Just being around in my own constituency early this morning and people talking and meeting people in shops etc, everybody is in a state of shock,” Cllr Ken O’Flynn told Newstalk. 

“Everybody is in a state of [thinking] how tragic and how sorry they are for the family.” 

He continued: 

“It’s a feeling of deep sadness. It’s a feeling that ‘This could be my wife, it could be my child’. 

“That’s the reality of what’s on the ground here. That’s how we’re all feeling down here in Cork and it’s a very, very sad day here in Cork.” 

A Garda investigation is underway and they have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

Main image: No Entry tape in front of a Garda Patrol car.