The man was on a family fishing trip when the boat his was hit by a large wave and capsized. The alarm was raised by another family member after the boat failed to return.

Eight men, a woman and a teenage boy were pulled from the sea by Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew, assisted by the Saltee Islands passenger ferry, the An Crossan, also crewed by lifeboat members.

All ten people were pulled aboard the ferry, but one was in need of more urgent care and was airlifted to Waterford University Hospital, where he later died.

Related articles

• Four rescued after yacht in danger of dismasting
• Tips for crossing the English Channel

The remaining nine were transferred to Kilmore Quay by the ferry and taken to Wexford General Hospital by ambulance.

Aidan Bates of Kilmore Quay RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this incident and we would like to wish them all a speedy recovery from their ordeal.”

“The party had done the right thing in letting someone know when they were due back and thankfully as a result of that the alarm was able to be raised. Thankfully, all 10 were wearing lifejackets which was crucial given the time they had spent in the water.”