The body of a man in his 20s who attempted to swim across the River Liffey in Dublin city centre shortly before midnight last night was recovered early today, writes Chris Dooley.
A man who tried to save him was rescued by Dublin Fire Brigade in an operation witnessed by a large number of Friday night revellers. He was being treated in the Meath Hospital where his condition was described as not serious.
The man who drowned jumped into the river at Upper Ormond Quay, beside Capel Street bridge, at about 11.45 p.m. Just before he jumped he handed his jacket to a woman passer-by.
"He tried to swim to the other side and got about three quarters of the way, but then he went under," said Sgt Pat Cotter of Pearse St Garda station.