Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in Co. Wicklow, whose body was recovered from the Avoca River overnight.

The alarm was raised at around 4:30am this morning after two men entered the water near the Bridgewater Shopping Centre.

One of the men made it to shore and called for help and the body of the second man was recovered a short time later.

It was feared there may have been another two people missing but those fears proved unfounded and the search was eventually stood down.

A full search and rescue swung into operation overnight when the alarm was raised. Irish Coast Guard Units and the Coast Guard Helicopter were involved in the search and rescue operation.

 A residence in the nearby Marina Village complex has been cordoned off

The second man taken from the river was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has now been removed to Loughlinstown Hospital. The dead man is believed to have been aged in his 40s; however his name has not yet been released.

An apartment in the nearby Marina Village complex has been sealed off and an investigation is underway.

Jimmy Tyrell is the Lifeboat Operations Manager of Arklow RNLI Lifeboat.