Update 7.50pm: A man has been recovered from the sea in Galway Bay and is believed to be in a critical condition.

The fisherman, believed to be in his 40s, was located at around 6.30pm by the Aran Islands lifeboat.

The man is believed to have been in the water for several hours.

Earlier: A search operation is underway in Galway Bay after a boat was reported to have run aground, writes Patrick Flynn.

Its understood there are no people on board the vessel however its engines are believed to be still running.

The boat is reported to be on rocks close to Tawin Island.

The Galway and Aran Islands RNLI lifeboats have been sent to the area along with the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter.

The circumstances of the incident are unclear while and there is no indication whether there was anyone on board or not.

Authorities are trying to establish whether there were any people on board the boat before it ran aground and if anyone is missing.

A search of the area is continuing.