Coast Guard rescue man suffering from the 'bends'

A 65-year-old man suffering from decompression sickness is being treated at the Irish Naval Base in Cork after being airlifted early today from the beach at Kilkee in Co Clare.

The man, who had been diving with friends yesterday, began to show signs of the 'bends' late last night and after being assessed by a doctor, was airlifted to Cork in the early hours of this morning.

The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter flew the man to Cork Airport from where he was transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital to be assessed.

A short time later he was taken to the Naval Base at Haulbowline for treatment in the hyperbaric chamber there.