Search efforts to locate a man missing in Lough Ree near Athlone-have been stood down for the night.

The rescue operation -involving the local lifeboat, the Sligo coastguard helicopter and Athlone Sub -Aqua- was launched at around 3 o'clock, when it's believed three men -who were travelling in a small boat -went missing in the Hodson Bay.

Two men were located before 5.30 this evening and have been transferred to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe for treatment.

Derek Flannagan, Divisional Controller with Malin Head Coastguard for the North West region says the search operation will resume in the morning.