A man who climbed up a 300-foot crane in Limerick city was today winched to safety by a marine rescue helicopter.
The man, who is in his mid 20s, was spotted on the crane on the Dock Road at about 3.30am. Gardai, fire brigade and ambulance personnel were called to the scene.
Two firefighters were hoisted on to the crane to persuade him to return to safety. The man is understood to be deaf and one of the firefighters used sign language to communicate with him.
A Garda spokesman said that the man had become extremely cold and had agreed to come down from the crane. The Coastguard marine rescue helicopter arrived from Shannon and a crew member winched the man from the crane at 9.45am.
The two firefighters were also winched off because they had become too cold to climb down safely.
The crane was being used to construct new business premises. Traffic restrictions were imposed along the Dock Road during the rescue operation.
The man was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital for treatment.
PA