A man is fighting for his life tonight after a dramatic rescue off the Co Clare coast.
The casualty was winched out of the sea by helicopter crews after been swept in to the water near Kilkee. He was taken to Ennis General Hospital where his condition is described as critical. The full scale search and rescue operation was launched shortly before 2pm. With the assistance of local coast guard crews the Shannon based located the man and lifted him on board. "There were signs of life," said a coastguard spokesman. "The helicopter landed at the beach where ambulance personnel and a doctor assisted the casualty. "The helicopter then took the casualty to Ennis General Hospital."