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Galway RNLI Lifeboat came to the rescue of five swimmers who were attacked by a dolphin off Blackrock Tower at Salthill, Galway tonight.

A member of the public raised the alarm and contacted the Irish Coastguard who asked for Galway Lifeboat’s assistance.

The lifeboat launched from the nearby Docks at about 7.25pm.

When they arrived at the scene five minutes later a local fishing vessel had separated the dolphin from the swimmers.

The lifeboat joined the fishing vessel in keeping the dolphin away from the swimmers until they made it safely ashore.

Reports from people who witnessed the incident say the dolphin had circled the swimmers then swam at them in an intimidating way and glancing off them, coming and going, with his tail and nose.

The swimmers were very shook by the incident and one in particular was very shocked but did not require medical assistance.

Galway RNLI Lifeboat Helmsman Ciaran Oliver said the crew stayed in the area a while longer to ensure all swimmers got ashore and then did a sweep of the beach from Blackrock to Seapoint to warn others, assisted by additional lifeboat crew on the promenade.

The lifeboat crew on this call-out were Helmsman Ciaran Oliver, Stefanie Carr, David Badger and Sean King.