The Naval Service is gearing up to save even more migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea this year as refugees pour into Libya from Middle East war zones following Turkey’s promise to cut people-smuggling operations across the Aegean into Greece.

The Irish naval vessel LE Roisin has left Ireland for search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

Service medals will be awarded to Irish Naval Service personnel who served on the historic humanitarian missions in the Mediterranean last year.

The Naval Service has confirmed it will send the LÉ Róisín to the Mediterranean Sea at the end of this month to resume humanitarian missions.

The Naval Service is beginning to increase fishery protection duties having suffered a number of setbacks in recent years.

The minister for defence has said he will not send the Naval Service back to the Mediterranean Sea if the threat to their humanitarian mission from Islamic State’s (IS) occupation of northern Libya proves too great.

The crew of LÉ Samuel Beckett edged close to their 1,000th refugee rescue in the Mediterranean Sea after they were involved in three operations yesterday — rescuing a total of 316 people.

LÉ Samuel Beckett will depart her base in Haulbowline, Co Cork, this morning to take over refugee rescue missions in the Mediterranean from LÉ Niamh.

Two men who live in Carrigaline have received notable appointments in the Naval Service, one as its boss and the other as captain of its newest vessel, LÉ Samuel Beckett, when it arrives in the spring.