Naval service’s newest recruit sails home today

The country’s newest naval vessel, which boasts Star Wars-style drone control technology, underwent one of its final sea trials before arriving back in Ireland today.

The €50m stealth-style LÉ Samuel Beckett spent several hours at sea off Devon as the crew put it and its hi-tech systems through their paces one last time, before the official hand-over is signed off.

A Defence Forces spokesman confirmed that Irish naval officers and crew have been familiarising themselves with the ship and its systems for several months.