Condolences have been paid by emergency services that assisted in the recovery of a body off the Cork coast yesterday.
A multi-agency recovery of an individual off the Old Head of Kinsale was underway yesterday afternoon in fierce weather conditions as winds reached speeds of over 100kmph.
Crews from the Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit, Gardai, RNLI and the National Ambulance Service were tasked to retrieve a missing person who was located using thermal imaging - CorkBeo reports.
Sadly, the individual was deceased when they were located, with a Coastguard officer telling Cork Beo that it was a "recovery rather than a rescue."
It is understood the family of the deceased have been informed. The crew of the Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter have been widely praised on social media for their skill and bravery in making what was a very difficult recovery.
Video footage taken by the coast guard unit shows a crew member of a Rescue 117 helicopter being winched down towards the raging sea below.
"Tasked yesterday to the Old Head of Kinsale along with Old Head/Seven Heads coast guard unit, NAS, Garda and RNLI for a missing person," the Rescue 117 Facebook page posted today.
"Located using FLIR camera.
"Condolences to friends and family of the casualty and may they rest in peace.
"Footage with thanks from the coast guard unit showing the tricky location and great flying skills from the crew involved in the recovery," they said.
Posting the video on their Facebook page, Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit said: "Condolences to the family and friends of the casualty, RIP."
