The search for a missing fisherman in Co Cork has been stood down for the night, and is expected to resume at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.

The man in his 20s failed to return to port in west Cork last night, after being out at sea since early morning.

Valentia Coast Guard was alerted after the man did not arrive as scheduled at 6pm, and a search operation was launched.

It focused mainly on Dunmanus Bay, where it is understood that wreckage has been found near the western tip of Carbery Island.

The operation was called off late last night and resumed this morning at around 7am, but has been stood down for tonight.

Lifeboat crew at Castletownbere and Baltimore RNLI, the LÉ William Butler Yeats, and Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 115 from Shannon were involved in the air and sea search, led from Valentia Coast Guard station.

A number of local fishing vessels from Castletownbere also took part.

Speaking at Bantry Garda Station, Superintendent Declan O'Sullivan asked members of the public not to put their lives at risk by taking to the water around the search area.

He also thanked those involved in the search for their efforts.

"Some of the larger, well equipped local fishing vessels have been assisting us with our operation and we wish to thank them for their efforts thus far. Emergency services will indicate what assistance the public could provide if necessary".

We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences