Two teenage girls were rescued from the sea at Dún Laoghaire harbour early this morning.
The operation involving two RNLI lifeboats, seven units of the Dublin Fire Brigade, local gardaí and Garda helicopter.
It is understood that a number of people were on the pier when one person entered the water. A second person entered the water to assist the first, then three others followed to help the first two, sources said.
It is believed gardaí helped three people from the water, but two girls were carried out by the tide.
The RNLI lifeboat service was alerted and launched the Anna Livialifeboat.
They were found about a quarter of a mile away from where they entered the water; they were rescued by a second RNLI inshore lifeboat, put on board the Anna Livia, and taken to hospital by ambulance.
It is understood the lifeboat crews responded to a call at around 4am.
A spokesman for the Dún Laoghaire lifeboat service told ireland.comit had been a good outcome for all concerned.
Dún Laoghaire lifeboats are launched between 50 and 60 times a year. All RNLI lifeboat crews are volunteers.