Efforts to bring damaged tanker ashore continue

Efforts were continuing this afternoon to bring a tanker which caught fire early this morning ashore.

The West Sailor, registered in Malta, was en route from Shannon to Belgium when it got into trouble north off Brandon Head, Co Kerry.

The crew of 15 managed to contain a fire in the engine room, but this afternoon, the vessel was still adrift in Brandon Bay, three miles off shore.

The Fenit lifeboat was on standby near the vessel, while arrangements were being made to tow it to a port in mainland Europe.