Emergency services respond to incidents off Inishowen coastline

The incident at Slievebawn in Malin Head was co-ordinated by Malin Head Coast Guard and involved the Coast Guard’s Sligo 111 helicopter, Greencastle Coastguard, two ambulances and the Gardai.

Greencastle Coast Guard officer-in-charge, Charlie Cavanagh, told the Journal they were tasked to the scene at around 6.30pm on Thursday evening to provide assistance.

One of the men had got into difficulty in the water and the second man, who had been on the shoreline, went to his assistance.

The first man, understood to be holidaying in the area from Derry, had been in the water for 30-40 minutes before he was airlifted by the coast guard helicopter and taken to Altnagelvin Hospital as a precaution.

The second man was transported by boat to the pier and assessed by paramedics. Both men are understood to be now well.

Meanwhile, Lough Swilly RNLI attended two incidents over the weekend.

The first call-out,, on Saturday, July 11 at 8.44pm involved a boat which was drifting not far from Portsalon pier. Lough Swilly RNLI PRO Joe Joyce told the Journal the boat was safely recovered and towed to safety. No-one was on-board.

The Shannon Class lifeboat launched once again on Sunday, July 12 at 11.02am, when a charter trawler boat, with nine people on board - two crew members and seven passengers - got into difficulty off Malin Head.

Lough Swilly RNLI towed the vessel back to Malin Head and all nine people were reported to be safe and well.

Anyone in difficulty or in distress in the water can dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.