Nine people trapped 50m deep in cave

NINE people were rescued after they got trapped 50m underground in a cave near Lisdoonvarna on Saturday night.

Doolin Sea Rescue members managed to bring out the group in a rescue operation that lasted more than four hours.

The alarm was raised at about 8.30pm and two of the party managed to make their way to the entrance of the cave at Kilmoon, north of Lisdoonvarna.

The caves in the area attract large numbers of cave enthusiasts.

The group got into difficulties when they where were about 50m below ground.

The rescue team managed to bring out two others at about 9pm and the last of the caving group was brought shortly after midnight.

A spokesman for the Doolin Sea Rescue said a number of the group had to be brought to Ennis general hospital suffering from hypothermia.

He said: “They were very wet and cold as they were so far down.”