A MAN has died while swimming off the coast of Co. Waterford as Ireland records its seventh water-related fatality over the past week.
The body of a 60-year-old man was recovered from the water at Tramore Beach at around 5.30pm on Sunday bye emergences services who were alerted to the situation.
The man's body was transferred to Waterford Regional Hospital where a post-mortem examination will take place.
Tragically, his passing came during World Drowning Prevention Day.
On Sunday, a man was taken from the water in a serious condition at Hollywood Lake in Co. Monaghan, and on Friday another man in his 60s died from drowning at Dollymount in Dublin.
A 29-year-old mother - whose funeral took place yesterday - drowned while trying to save her son from a lake in Co. Cavan earlier this week.
On average 115 people die every year in Irish waters, equating to around two a week, but the last seven days has witnessed more than triple the weekly average.
According to the RNLI, many people underestimate the dangers posed by going into the water, particularly when the weather is hot.
Water Safety Ireland (WSI) has appealed to the public, urging vigilance in the water.
They say the recent hot weather has increased the risk of drowning and they are asking those travelling to the beach or engaging in water-based activities to swim within their depth.
"Many people are swimming for the first time this year and have not had swimming classes for more than 15 months," the WSI said.
