Seven-year-old Emili Roman is to be laid to rest today at a funeral in Carrigaline, Co Cork. 

Her funeral will take place at the Church of Our Lady and St. John, Carrigaline, at 11.45am. 

Her burial will take place afterwards to St. John’s Cemetery in Ballinrea. 

The seven-year-old died on Tuesday, September 5, while swimming at Fountainstown Beach near Crosshaven. 

A current swept her away on Tuesday afternoon and a three-hour search was immediately launched. 

Her body was discovered near the shore by a member of the public at around 7.45pm. 

Emili Roman. Image: RIP.ie

Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork Paul Colton said earlier this week the community was “devastated” from her death. 

“Most of us cannot begin to imagine the suffering that this family must now be going through,” he said. 

“A tragedy like this is having a traumatic effect also on this small parish school at the start of this new school year, and also the wider community.” 

A GoFundMe appeal launched yesterday has now reached over €33,000 after family friend Beata O’Sullivan appealed for help to ensure “Emily's funeral is a heartfelt celebration of her beautiful life”. 

“Emili was a ray of sunshine in our lives,” she said. “A compassionate friend, a loving daughter, and a cherished sister.” 

She said the campaign aims to help cover her funeral expenses, including the cost of the service, burial and a memorial to honour her memory. 

Emili would have been celebrating her eighth birthday on Thursday alongside her twin brother Jeremy.