A major search operation was sparked early today when flares were spotted off the south west coast. Lifeboat and coast guard crews battled in rough seas off west Cork amid fears a stricken vessel was in need.
The search - from Mill Cove to Toe Head - was called off after more than three hours when nothing was found.
A member of the coast guard raised the alarm when he saw a flare off the Gally Head area at 1am. Within 15 minutes the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat, under Coxswain Dan O Dwyer, was launched. A second flare was reported at 3.15am off the Glandore area.
Two lifeboat units, two coastguard vessels, and the coastguard helicopter were involved in the operation. "The first lifeboat with a crew of seven went under way in very poor conditions with a rough sea and high winds," said an RNLI spokesman. "Conditions at sea were terrible."
Valentia Coast Guard said the search was called off at 4.40am when nothing was found, with all units returning to base by 6.30am.