"We will always remember her smile, strong character, and love."

The body of a woman recovered at a beach in Blackpool has been confirmed to be that of missing Dublin woman Bernadette Connolly. Bernadette's daughter Jade confirmed the news on Thursday, stating that the body found belongs to her mother. "I write this message with a heavy heart," she said on Instagram. "My family and I have received tragic news that a woman's body was recovered from a beach in Blackpool UK and it is confirmed to be my beloved mam, Bernadette Connolly. "We will always remember her smile, strong character, and love. Mam and I have had 30 years together and for that, I am grateful, and our memories will live forever. "This experience has been incredibly difficult for us and we couldn't have done it alone. From day one my family and I received so much unconditional and tireless support across the nation and worldwide, for which we can't express enough gratitude. "As her daughter I truly know I did everything I could to find her. We prayed for people to light a path to bring her home and we're so grateful to have her back and can now lay her to rest. "This is a tragedy that no family should ever have to bare, we please ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving." https://www.instagram.com/p/CapkXMFAgGL/ 45-year-old Bernadette went missing on January 7. The Swords woman was last seen at the car park of the Shoreline Hotel in Donabate. She had gotten there via taxi and was believed to have been walking towards the beach. Bernadette's family, including her daughter Jade, searched tirelessly for weeks to locate her mother. She had been appealing for information on social media since Bernadette was last seen.