LAST UPDATE | 24 Aug

A MAN IN his 50s has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Inch Strand in Whitegate, Co Cork.

Gardaí and local emergency services responded to the incident shortly before 3pm yesterday afternoon.

The Irish Coastguard in Valentia, Co Kerry received notification that five people had got into difficulty in the water off Inch Beach and a man in his 50s was removed from the water.

He was later pronounced dead and arrangements will now be made for a post-mortem and the local coroner has been notified.

He has been named locally as Stephen O’Callaghan, from Ashburton Hill, St Luke’s, Cork.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coastguard said that the centre was informed of the “serious incident” in the middle of yesterday afternoon. 

“The search and rescue coast guard units at Guileen and Crosshaven, along with the RNLI from Ballycotton and Crosshaven, were alerted,” said the spokesperson.

“Rescue Helicopter 117 from Waterford was also tasked to to go to the scene.

“Four people were rescued from the sea by members of the public.

“One person was subsequently recovered from the water in a serious condition.

“He was transferred by the National Ambulance Service to Cork University Hospital.

“Gardaí and the Fire Service were also at the scene and assistance was offered by the Irish Naval Service.”

-With additional reporting from Olivia Kelleher