This was the crazy moment a man decided to go for a swim during the height of Storm Brendan off the coast of Salthill near Galway yesterday (January 13).

Footage shows a man clinging to a ladder off a pier near Blackrock, all the while waves come crashing over as the storm brought strong winds and surging waves.

The filmer told Newsflare: "The man was in the sea for around five minutes.

A wave came over the wall and soaked me and my phone, that is why it ends where it ends."

The filmer clarified on Twitter that the swimmer returned safely.