The Medical Director of the National Ambulance Service has praised emergency workers after last night's major rescue on Lough Derg.

35 people were brought to safety after their rowing boats got into difficulty when hit by bad weather during a regatta.

18 vessels were racing on the Shannon from Dromineer to Killaloe.

A major search and rescue operation got underway after conditions on the water deteriorated, with force six winds and a two foot swell.

15 people needed treatment at the scene for shock and hypothermia - a further five people who'd gone missing were were found safe and well on Lough Derg's Crow Island.

The Coastguard, fire brigade personnel, ambulance crews, Gardai and marine search and rescue crews attended the scene.

Chief Medical Officer with the National Ambulance Service, Dr. Cathal O'Donnell, described the operation as an extremely successful inter-agency operation, and a job well done by all involved.