Jellyfish swarm

A woman diving with her friends in a popular Dublin swimming spot was airlifted by the Dublin Coast Guard after being mauled by a jellyfish, it has been reported.

An inshore lifeboat was also rushed to the scene after the viscous attack.

The rescue missions were deployed at 11am yesterday after two women were reported missing offshore.

When rescued, the woman was suffering from hypothermia and has visible jellyfish stings to her face; the boat crew described her condition as 'serious'.

The unlucky bather was then airlifted to Our Lady of the Lourdes hospital in Drogheda where she underwent further treatment.

Although the identity of the jellyfish isn't known, Ireland does suffer from influxes of poisonous jellyfish during the late summer and early fall months due to to the proximity of the warm North Atlantic Drift.

The EcoJel project, a leading European jellyfish research study based in Haulbowline, Cork

According to its Jellyfish ID Card the compass, barrel, blue, and Lion's Mane jellyfish are all known to inflict stings capable of needing medical attention.

Although not strictly a jellyfish, the Portuguese Man O War, whose sting can be fatal, made its way to Irish beaches last summer, with sighting all over the southern Irish coastline.