LIVE: Tourist sustains 'serious injuries' after falling from cliff close to coastal town

A tourist is recovering in hospital after he sustained serious injuries after falling from cliffs at Lahinch beach in north Clare.

The alarm was raised shortly after 10pm on Friday and a major rescue operation, which was quickly launched, continued until after midnight.

"Gardaí and emergency services conducted a multi-agency rescue operation in Lahinch, County Clare following a report of a male who had fallen from the cliffs at Lahinch Beach last night," confirmed a garda spokesperson.

It is understood the man fell more than 20 feet from a cliff at the Miltown Malbay Road carpark in the coastal town.

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Gardaí say they were alerted to the incident at approximately 10pm and that having responded they requested assistance from other emergency services.

"A multi-agency response was launched involving An Garda Síochána, National Ambulance Service, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service, Doolin Search and Rescue and the Irish Coast Guard," added the spokesperson.

Having received initial treatment at the scene, the man, aged in his 20s, was airlifted by Rescue 115 - the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard Helicopter -  to University Hospital Galway for treatment of serious leg injuries.

While serious, the man's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.