A lone yachtsman has been airlifted to safety after his boat got into difficulty off the coast of East Cork overnight.

The British man was flown to Waterford Airport by the Coast Guard helicopter. He has been brought to hospital by ambulance for assessment.

Two crew members from the Ballycotton Lifeboat boarded the 6.5-metre yacht after the sailor put out a distress call on encountering rough seas and Force 5 winds. Mine Head Coast Guard responded to the call at around 3.30am. The Ballycotton lifeboat was launched to the scene about 38 miles south east of Ballycotton.

The yacht is sailing under its own steam to Cork Harbour with two lifeboat crew members aboard and the Ballycotton lifeboat accompanying it.