Motorist rescued as car plunges into canal

A man believed to be in his early 40s is in a serious condition in Portlaoise Hospital after the car he was driving plunged into a canal near Athy, Co Kildare.

The incident happened just before 10.30pm on Saturday when the car, which was travelling on the Stradbally to Athy road, crashed through a barrier at the bridge, landing on its roof in the canal.

Members of Kildare Fire Service were first on the scene and rescued the man from the car with the aid of ambulance paramedics.