Its been a very busy day for the members of the Irish Coastguard.

Earlier today, nine people were transported from an airport in Donegal to their homes in Tory Island, and would not have made it home for Christmas had it not been for the actions of the Coastguard.

A large amount of Christmas mail and a batch of fresh supplies for the small island were also transported.

Meanwhile, later on this evening, three men and a dog were rescued off the coast of Wexford.

Their boat suffered from engine failure and got stuck on a sandbank near Rosslare Strand.

The Waterford based Rescue 117 helicopter and the Rosslare and Carnsore Coastguard units were tasked to the scene by gardai in Wexford.

They successfully airlifted the three men and the dog to safety shortly before 8pm this evening.