A search is continuing for a fisherman missing off the coast of County Sligo in the Republic of Ireland.

Emergency services were alerted at around 20:00 local time on Thursday when a member of the public reported a fishing vessel had ran aground close to Mullaghmore Head.

A multi-agency search is centred on an area off Mullaghmore and out into Donegal Bay.

The Irish Coast Guard said an “extensive search” had continued overnight involving a number of agencies and has resumed on Friday morning.

It is being coordinated by the Coast Guard team at Malin Head, a spokesman said, and involves rescue helicopter teams from Sligo and Dublin.

The RNLI and a number of merchant and local vessels are also involved, he said, adding the search “is still ongoing at this time”.

A RNLI spokeswoman said lifeboats from Sligo Bay and Bundoran were requested by the Irish Coast Guard “to divert from a routine training exercise shortly before 8pm last night”.

She said that followed a report from a member of the public who raised the alarm after spotting a boat aground with its engine still running off Cliffoney Beach.

“Arranmore and Ballyglass RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats were subsequently requested to join the multi-agency search also involving the Irish Coast helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo and Killybegs Coast Guard’s inshore lifeboat,” the spokeswoman said.

A Gardaí (Irish police) spokesman said officers are also currently assisting in the search operation.