There is still no sign of a trawler which is believed to have sunk off Dunmore East on the Co Wexford coast this evening, and fears are growing for the crew of five men.
Radio contact was lost with the crew after an emergency signal was received from the boat just after 6pm - all attempts to contact the boat since have failed.
Marine rescue services are searching an area about two miles southeast of Hook Head where the Irish-registered trawler, Père Charles, was reported to be in difficulties.
Lifeboats from Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay, along with a helicopter based at Waterford, are involved in the search.
It is understood there were five men on board on the vessel, which was fishing for herring.
Four are Irish, and one is from Eastern Europe, possibly Ukraine.
The skipper is originally from Co Kerry but has been living in Waterford for a number of years.
A relation of his is also one of the missing crew members.
The two other men missing are believed to have been living in Dunmore, one is from Co Waterford, the other originally from Co Wexford but living in Waterford a number of years.
What appears to be debris has been found in the area where the trawler was believed to have been fishing.
