Detectives from Blanchardstown in Dublin have recovered a stolen boat.

Rescuers have moved to reassure seafarers off Ireland’s south west coast after reports that a lifeboat has been stolen.

A RNLI lifeboat driven on to rocks on an island off the North's coast during a rescue attempt in raging seas has suffered serious and extensive damage of its hull, it was confirmed today.

Rough seas and warnings of 70mph gales later this afternoon has delayed new attempts to re-float the Portrush Lifeboat which is stranded on rocks at Rathlin Island