An off duty garda based in Waterford has died in a diving incident off the Wexford coast.

It’s understood the man in his 40s, who is from Wexford, got into difficulty while diving with a local sub aqua club.

Gardaí and the Coastguard were called at around noon to the incident which occurred 15 nautical miles from Hook Head.

The diver’s body was airlifted to University Hospital Waterford.

It’s believed that the father of four, who was a former member of the Garda Water Unit, got the bends when coming to the surface.

Garda colleagues in Waterford are said to be in shock at the death of the man, who had been honoured for his part in water rescues in the past.