THE bodies of a father and son who drowned after being washed off rocks in Cork where they were fishing are to be flown back to their native Poland tomorrow.

The remains of Matthias Latek (13) were recovered near the Beara Peninsula in west Cork last Tuesday while his father Piotr's body was found 72 hours after the tragedy on 12 July.

A fund established to help the family repatriate the bodies to their home country had accumulated well over €12,000 by the weekend and it is hoped the sum will cover the expense.

"It's absolutely amazing what people have donated in the community," said Manuela Goeb, who employed Latek at the Breadcrumb Bakery in Kenmare, Co Kerry.

She explained that family members of the deceased, Matthias' mother Johanna, her sister and brother-in-law will leave Ireland some time this week.

"Someone has to mention the generosity of the country. It has been unreal and it has been the whole country," said Goeb.

The family of the deceased also expressed their gratitude to the community for their efforts in finding their bodies.

The father and son were swept off the rocks at Cod's Head in west Cork during a fishing trip while Matthias was in Ireland on school holidays.