An Irish free diver in Egypt who last year sought public support for his competitive efforts is paying it forward with a plan to walk for 24 hours straight in aid of Pieta House.

Dave McGowan tells the Irish Examiner that his charitable challenge is just the latest in a series of adventures he’s been setting himself on his birthday each year.

This year he’s on his own in Dahab — where he’s based himself to train for the next level of international free diving competition, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

But McGowan is well used to the solo rigours of long-distance cycling and running, as he comtemplates the 100km hike ahead this coming Thursday (4 February).

And mindful of the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic affecting society both in Egypt and back home, the Mullingar man has selected a mental health charity for his fundraising efforts.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

A Carlow man has died after taking ill while on a diving trip in Egypt, as the Irish Mirror reports.

Martin Peter ‘Murt’ Flynn (45) died on Friday after a “brief illness” in the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, a popular hotspot for divers the world over due to its clear waters and coral reefs.

He has been visiting for a week-long diving holiday with Kilkenny Sub Aqua Club, whose members as well as friends and family expressed their shock at his loss.

The Irish Mirror has much more on the story HERE.

The National Road's Authority (NRA) are expecting shipments of emergency salt from Egypt and Morocco to arrive next week, according to a report in the Irish Independent. 

Two vessels, the CSL Prospect and Olivia are heading for the Port of Cork with a combined cargo of 11,500 tonnes of salt. In the meantime councils are coping with rapidly dwindling supplies to keep the main roads gritted over the weekend. If the councils fail to ration supplies, the authorities will quickly run out of salt, sparking a crisis for motorists. For more on this story click here.

The Port of Cork added that these salt-shipments will continue beyond next week. In addition to next weeks delivery, more vessels will be calling to the port, bringing in total 35,000 tonnes of salt over the next few weeks.

According to weather forecasts, there will be significant accumulations of snow expected in most parts of the country. Up to 10cm of snow may fall over the next few days. For information on the latest weather updates logon to www.met.ie/forecasts/