A man being held after reportedly straying into Iranian waters is believed to be from Co Dublin.

The Republic's Department of Foreign Affairs said Bahrain-based radio presenter David Bloomer was travelling on a British passport, although he is believed to be from Malahide.

It is believed the radio presenter and sports journalist has been living in Bahrain since the 1980s.

Earlier, British foreign secretary David Miliband said there was "no confrontation or argument" in negotiations with Iran to free the five detained sailors.

Their racing yacht, the Kingdom Of Bahrain, owned by Sail Bahrain, was stopped by Iranian naval vessels last Wednesday as it sailed from Bahrain to Dubai. The crew members have been named as Mr Bloomer, Oliver Smith, 31, from Southampton, Oliver Young, 21, from Plymouth, Sam Usher, and Luke Porter, 21.

Mr Miliband, speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, said the incident was a consular matter and not linked to Royal Navy personnel.

"These are five civilians. They are yachtsmen. They were going about their sport," he said. "It seems they may have strayed inadvertently into Iranian waters. We look forward to the Iranian government dealing with this promptly."

He said he was awaiting a statement from the Iranian government on the matter but stressed there was no dispute.

"There's certainly no confrontation or argument," he said. "As far as we are aware, these people are being well-treated, which is right and what we would expect from a country like Iran."

He said "perfectly good discussions" had taken place between officials in London and Tehran.