Ten pilot whales stranded off Kerry coast

Fears were growing this afternoon for the safety of 10 pilot whales which had become stuck in shallow water off the coast of Co Kerry.

A number of boats arrived in the area early today to try and redirect the whales into deeper water.

Mick O'Connell from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said he believed their leader was sick and that the rest of the group had followed him towards the beach at Sandycove in Castlegregory.

There were fears the animals could die if not returned to their natural habitat.

"They can survive - they're mammals the same as us and they breath air, but the weight of their body is on the beach that’s going to start causing them problems," said O’Connell.