A man has been injured after being bitten by a shark off the Cork coast.

It happened at around 6pm yesterday evening, 13 miles offshore.

A group of anglers was on a fishing trip when the incident involving a blue shark took place.

Those on board the boat raised the alarm, and then travelled to meet Crosshaven lifeboat about 4 miles south of Roches Point.

Lifeboat crew tended to the injured man - believed to be from Belfast - and assisted in his transfer to ambulance once on shore.

Crosshaven RNLI spokesperson John Mathers explained: "[The anglers] pulled a blue shark on board, which is normal - they tag them and release them.

"The shark unfortunately managed to bite the angler on the forearm quite badly."

However, the injured man's injuries are not believed to be serious.

Mr Mathers added: "It's the first time we've had to deal with it - but I understand that while shark bites on angling boats are not common, they're not uncommon either."

Blue sharks - which can grow to a maximum of 4 metres - prefer cooler waters, and are among several shark species that can be found in the waters off Ireland.