MEMBERS OF THE Coast Guard are searching for a fisherman who they believe went overboard off the coast of Sligo yesterday evening.

The search went on throughout the night and has continued this morning.

Malin Head Coast Guard is coordinating the search and rescuers are focusing on the waters off Mullaghmore and into Donegal Bay.

A member of the public alerted the Coast Guard’s coordination centre yesterday evening after finding a fishing vessel that had run aground off Cliffoney Beach, south of Mullaghmore Head. The engine was still running. 

The Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter R118 , Killybegs Coast Guard Unit, and RNLI lifeboats from Bundoran, Aranmore, Ballyglass and Sligo are continuing to search the area.

A merchant vessel and a number of local fishing boats are taking part in the search.

Sligo Bay and Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboats were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to divert from a routine training exercise shortly before 8pm.

Arranmore and Ballyglass RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats were also requested to join the multi-agency search.