Hi °C | Lo °C 
Four fishermen on a French-registered trawler were rescued after their vessel got into difficulty on the Irish Sea in the early hours of the morning.
The 120-tonne Bara An Aod suffered engine failure 2.5 miles (4km) east of Wicklow Head and raised the alarm at about 3.15am.
Wicklow RNLI responded in what was described as severe weather conditions with a south-easterly force nine gale, torrential rain and a 10ft-13ft (3m-4m) breaking swell.
The 85ft (26m) boat had been on a delivery run from France to Ireland.
Wicklow RNLI volunteer Tommy Dover said: "It was such a bad night but the experienced crew, confident in the lifeboat's ability to meet the conditions, skilfully responded and were thankful and delighted to be able to assist the four crew members and their vessel safely to shore this morning."
The boat was towed to Wicklow Harbour by 5am.
