Limerick native becomes first Irishman to scale K2

A Co Limerick man has become the first Irish person to reach the peak of the world's most dangerous mountain.

Thirty-seven-year-old Gerard McDonnell, who is originally from Kilcornan, has successfully reached the summit of K2 in the Himalayas.

The 8,600-metre mountain is the second highest in the world, after Everest.

Mr McDonnell, an oil company employee who lives in Alaska, has scaled the peak as part of an international group that includes Dutch, Australian and Nepalese climbers.