A diver has been airlifted to hospital after suffering decompression sickness at the wreck of the Lusitania 

A Coast Guard Helicopter has airlifted a diver who was reported to have suffered a diving illness approximately 12 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale to Galway University Hospital. 

The diver is understood to have been diving at the wreck of the Lusitania. 

The diver received initial medical attention at Cork University Hospital before being transferred to the Galway based recompression facility. 

The operation was coordinated by the Valentia based Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre.

On scene support was also provided by the Naval Ship LE George Bernard Shaw who initially recovered the diver from the sea and by Courtmacsherry Lifeboat.