Overnight sea search in Mayo after 'possible' flare

A search has been taking place off the coast of Mayo overnight after a possible flare sighting.

The Ballyglass lifeboat was launched shortly before 6.30pm yesterday evening, when a fisherman claimed to have seen the distress signal off Downpatrick Head.

Rescue crews began combing an area 11 miles long by five miles wide.

Conditions and visibility were reported to be good and no vessels have been reported missing so far.