Fishing trawler in difficulty off Cork coast

A rescue operation is underway after a fishing vessel got into difficulty off the coast of west Cork.

The alarm was raised shortly before midday, after the 50-foot trawler began taking on water, about 42 miles south of the Seven Heads.

The five crewmen on board are trying to pump out the water, however their efforts are not containing the problem.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat and the Shannon-based coastguard helicopter are assisting in the operation.