The sick fin whale who was stranded against a harbour wall in Baltimore in west Cork since Tuesday has now died.

The 46-foot whale resisted attempts by fishermen to coax it back into open waters after it swam into the fishing village.

The whale had been bleeding from a gash in its side after cutting itself on rocks.

The mammal was believed to be an adolescent female.

She became stranded at low tide there on Tuesday morning.

Hopes that she could be helped back to sea faded as it became clear that she was seriously malnourished.

It was said that she was also too large to give any euthanasia assistance to.