Two men rushed to hospital after incident on ship docked at Foynes Port

David Raleigh

Two people have been injured following an incident onboard a ship docked at Foynes Port in Co Limerick.

The incident occurred shortly after 7pm on Tuesday.

Gardaí and emergency services are at the port as part of a major emergency response to the incident.

Locals reported seeing emergency service personnel responding in and around the Bow Hercules, a registered oil/chemical tanker which is moored at the port.

The 182.73m long x 32m wide 26,364 tonne vessel was built in 2017 and is sailing under the Norwegian flag.

The HSE Air Ambulance is believed to have ferried one casualty to Cork University Hospital.

Another casualty is believed to be en route to hospital by road ambulance.

Foynes Post said in a statement: “Shannon Foynes Port Company can confirm that two men have been hospitalised flowing an accident on board a ship this evening at Foynes Port. Emergency services attended the scene and both men were removed to University Hospital.

“The cause of the accident is being investigated by the relevant authorities, while the matter on board the ship has made safe, with the Port due to resume operations tonight”. 

A Garda spokeswoman said: “Gardaí are currently at scene following a report of an incident on a ship in Foynes Port, Limerick this evening Tuesday 24th June, 2025 shortly before 7pm.”

“Gardaí are assisting ambulance services at scene and dealing with a number of injuries.”