In short

More news in brief.

More news in brief.

Emergency after divers' rapid ascent

Two divers were rushed 400km by a Coast Guard helicopter across Ireland to a decompression chamber yesterday after they got into difficulties 20m (66ft) below the surface in the country's only fjord off Connemara.

The pair, aged 44 and 49, were exploring the seabed in Killary fjiord with a team from Naas Diving Club, Co Kildare, when the alert was raised.

READ MORE

A rescue operation was co-ordinated by Malin Head Coast Guard station and a helicopter went to the scene from its base at Strandhill, Co Sligo. It was uncertain what forced the rapid ascent.

The men were later said to be in a stable condition.

Woman rescued from mountains

A young woman was evacuated from the Wicklow Mountains yesterday even as efforts were under way to recover four bodies from an air crash on Church Mountain. Mountain rescue teams in Co Wicklow responded to a call for help yesterday afternoon when a young woman out hillwalking on Lybagh Mountain, just south of Lugnaquillia, near Aughavanna in Co Wicklow sustained lower leg injuries.

The Air Corps and members of the mountain rescue teams treated her at the scene and evacuated her to a waiting ambulance. She was then transferred to Loughlinstown hospital.

President back after treatment

President Mary McAleese was treated at Sligo General Hospital on Friday after she felt unwell.

Mrs McAleese asked her driver to bring her to the hospital. Afterwards she returned to Áras an Uachtaráin. The Áras confirmed that there are no changes to her schedule this week.

Bank holiday arrangements

The advertising department is open today from 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, telephone 01-6758585.

Death notices and notices of a similar nature can be telephoned to lo-call

1850 44-66-44 up to 8.30pm this evening.

The reception area at 24-28 Tara Street is open for receipt of urgent deliveries.

Normal working hours resume tomorrow.