A large air and sea search and rescue operation is ongoing off the east coast this afternoon.
A distress signal was picked up by a fishing vessel approximately three miles east of the Wicklow town of Greystones at around 9 a.m..
The coastguard helicopter, three lifeboats as well as a number of private vessels searching the area in an operation being co-ordinated by the navy.
Debris from what appears to be a fishing boat has been found in the sea near where the distress signal was picked up.
