A major search and rescue operation was mounted this afternoon after a small boat with two people on board was reported to be in serious danger off the Co Clare coast.

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter winchman/paramedic has been honoured with a prestigious award in London for his role in rescuing two Italian brothers in a daring operation off the coast of the largest of the Aran Islands in 2019.

Five people were rescued from a burning boat on Lough Derg in Co Galway this afternoon.

Three people have been rescued from the sea after they got into difficulty while swimming this evening.

A teenager has been airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming in Co Clare this afternoon.

One person was forced to swim to safety after his boat sank in the River Shannon near Killaloe this afternoon.

A search and rescue operation was mounted in the Shannon Estuary after two kayakers were reported to be in difficulty.

Two people were airlifted to hospital while three others were evacuated by lifeboat after a road traffic collision on one of the Aran Islands in the early hours of the morning.

A kayaker had a lucky escape this afternoon after he got into difficulty and capsized in rough sea conditions near Doolin Co Clare.