People-smugglers are overloading refugees in inflatable dinghies that are so poorly manufactured they’ve no hope of making their destination.

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.

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 Irish Naval Service set sail yesterday to help launch one of the country’s top international regattas.