Gardaí in Ennis are investigating the discovery of a body that was found floating in a river this morning.
The alarm was raised at around 11.00am when members of the Mallow Search and Rescue Unit spotted the body, believed to be that of a woman, in the water near Clarecastle.
Members of the volunteer unit had been operating a safety boat for a contract company undertaking work at a sluice gate on behalf of Clare County Council.
Gardaí and the Irish Coast Guard were alerted while the body was quickly recovered by the boat crew and taken to the quay in Clarecastle.
The body was later removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem examination will be carried out.
Gardaí in Ennis have confirmed they are investigating the discovery while efforts to identify the body are continuing.
A spokesman confirmed the body may have been in the water for a week or more.