An injured Spanish fisherman was rescued by the Castletownbere lifeboat in difficult sea conditions off the west Cork coast early yesterday.
High winds and rough seas prevented the Irish Coast Guard helicopter based at Shannon from airlifting the casualty on board the 30 metre Spanish-registered vessel, Abvienteo. The vessel was was met by the lifeboat, under command of coxswain Mr Brian O'Driscoll, about one mile west of Ardnakinna lighthouse.
The injured man was taken to Castletownbere helipad, where he was flown to Limerick Regional Hospital by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter.