Emergency services in Ireland are responding to a helicopter crash in County Westmeath.

Irish police said the incident happened near Killucan at approximately 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Acting chief fire officer with Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service Pat Hunt said there was "a number of casualties".

Speaking on the Midlands 103 radio station, he said: "We understand that it's an incident involving a helicopter crashing into a building in the Joristown Upper townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath."

He added: "All the the principal response agencies are mobilising to the scene: An Garda Siochana, the ambulance service and ourselves.

"What we can understand is that there are a number of casualties involved, but again, we cannot at this stage confirm the number."

The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit said it had deployed a team of inspectors to the site of the single-engine helicopter crash.

“The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan, Co Westmeath, this afternoon,” the body said.

“The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time. Further updates will be provided when available.”

According to the Irish Times, the building struck by the helicopter was not believed to be residential but rather an outhouse. The outlet said that sources were unclear whether there were any people in the building at the time of the crash.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ News, Ken Glynn, Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District said the episode was "shocking and tragic".

Mr Glynn told the broadcaster: "I'm surprised and shocked, it's not something you would expect to hear in your own locality."

He said his thoughts and prayers were with those connected to those involved in the tragedy and with the emergency services.

"It is a difficult scene for emergency services to be attending," he noted.

Fr Stan Deegan, St Brigid's Church in Raharney's parish priest, told the same news outlet he was "shocked to hear the news".

"Whoever the people are who are involved in the incident, and wherever they are from, I hope and pray that life will be spared," he said.

"It is a serious event, and you would worry for the families involved. The local community is a very hospitable one, with a good community spirit, and the people here would respond to local needs."