An Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft was today involved in a rescue mission to evacuate a fisherman off the Cork coast.
The aircraft diverted from its daily maritime patrol to join in the rescue of an injured fisherman from a Spanish fishing vessel which as located about 100 miles off the south coast of Castletownbere in west Cork.
The plane provided a communications relay between the fishing vessel and officials.
The casualty was airlifted to a Coastguard helicopter and is currently en route to Cork.
The Air Corps operates two Casa CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft entered service in 1994 and operate seven days a week usually in the off shore maritime patrol arena.
