Two climbers stranded for nearly 24 hours in freezing conditions on Leinster’s highest mountain were found safe and are being airlifted to hospital this afternoon.

Two snowboarders missing for 21 hours in the Wicklow Mountains have been found by rescuers. The men were located just before 1pm at an area known as South Prison.

FEARS increased last night for the safety of a couple whose light aircraft disappeared over the Irish Sea.

The two crewmen of an RAF Tornado which smashed into a river in England have been picked up by rescue teams.

A major rescue operation is under way to airlift 100 people from a stricken gas platform in the North Sea.