A whale seen in the River Liffey near Dublin Port earlier this week has died.

The mammal was seen blowing water in the mouth of Dublin Port, after first being noticed by walkers at Sutton Beach on Tuesday.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) believe it was a young fin whale.

Dr Simon Berrow from the IWDG said on Thursday it was extremely rare for a whale to be in such waters in Dublin.

"It's probably in poor condition, presumably disorientated and it's possibly going to die, so to enter the port harbour/docks area is unusual.

"It'll be stressed, it'll be disorientated so it might some help to exit the area but even if it does, it will probably end up stranding and dying."

On Friday morning, the group confirmed the whale had passed.

It was seen lying alongside the MV Ulysses in Dublin Port.

It is being towed out to sea to clear the shipping lanes.

"Great shame, but was always the most likely prognosis", the IWDG added.