Pilot alerts Shannon Airport about emergency

Emergency services from Clare and Limerick are standing by at Shannon Airport after the pilot of a transatlantic jet declared an emergency in the past hour.

It's understood the Boeing 707 is en route from the US with 280 passengers and crew on board.

Units of Ennis and Shannon fire brigade, along with a fleet of ambulances, have been sent to the airport while life boats and other vessels at sea off the west coast are also reported to be on alert.