Fireball Hits Cavan

Early reports have emerged that a fireball has been seen in Irish skies eventually hitting County Cavan.

Astronomy Ireland has today announced a number of visual sightings of the fireball this morning, and thought to have been a falling meteorite.

A spokesman from the Astronomy Group said: "On the evening of February 3rd, a huge fireball was seen by thousands of people in Ireland. This fireball was a large rock - possibly the size of a car - striking our atmosphere and blazing into flames, a sight seen be so many all over the country.

"This asteroid may have made its way to the ground, and Astronomy Ireland is seeking reports from anyone who may have seen it."

Valentia Coastguard said it has had reports of sightings from people living in Mullingar, Limerick, Ballybunion and Bantry.

According to the BBC, the Northern Ireland Coastguard also took calls from people who believed the fireball had landed in Lough Neagh and sightings were also reported in Armagh, Craigavon and Omagh.

Early witness reports have described an "orange flash" as the meterorite descended, suggesting the object had a high sodium content. Scientists may be able to use this information to deduce where the object originated.

Early indications are that the object may have impacted somewhere in Cavan.

(DW/GK)