Emergency services were alerted at around 4.30pm when it was reported that a young female paddleboarder was unable to return to shore at White Strand, Miltown Malbay because of strong winds which were dragging her out to sea.

The RNLI said they were supporting the search involving three young men.

The operation was launched after the Coast Guard received an emergency call from the man still onboard the yacht

The search has involved two rescue helicopters, a UK plane and RNLI crews from Waterford, Wexford and Cork

Mr Wilkin's body was found by the Irish Coast Guard in the sea eight days after it is alleged the two accused put him over the Sliabh Liag cliffs

On Monday morning, the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 undertook the humanitarian operation.

The Irish Coast Guard provided critical assistance to 537 people over 2024, preventing loss of life and/or delivering people to appropriate medical care.

The Irish Coast Guard say the the operation is ongoing

A hoist was set up and a number of members of the Irish Coast Guard abseiled down to reach the stranded cow.

The alarm was raised by members of the public shortly after 5pm.

The Irish Coast Guard was alerted to the incident around 10:20am and the Coast Guard Helicopter was called into action.

The kayaker left the Helvick Head area at 11.40am and has not been heard from or seen since.

People who are going on day trips are urged to check the weather forecast including tides and to ensure that they have the right equipment for the activity they are about to undertake on the water.

It’s believed the boy had become separated from his family, who then tried to find him

Friday was the hottest day so far this year, with the sunshine due to stick around for the weekend

The group are believed to be of different nationalities and not based in Ireland.

Des, who was in his twenties, had an accident whilst he was on board a vessel 200km off the south west coast in the early hours of Thursday morning.

In a statement, the Department of Transport said that the incident occurred shortly after 12.30am on Thursday about one hundred nautical miles west of the Blasket Islands.

State agencies said a ‘significant quantity’ of suspected drugs were found onboard the cargo ship.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of organised crime offences.