Man drowned in boating accident

A man in his 60s was drowned in the River Shannon last night after a boating accident in Shannonbridge, Co Offaly. The man, who was from the Athlone area, tried to make it ashore when his boat began taking water at around 8 p.m. However witnesses said the boat went under and attempts to get a life belt to the man proved unsuccessful. The body was recovered and taken to Tullamore hospital.