Use LÉ Aoife as museum, say angry councillors, after Malta calls it ‘junk’

It may be twinned with Waterford, but the Maltese military’s ‘snub’ of an offer to take the naval vessel LÉ Aoife free of charge has angered Cork county councillors.

County mayor Alan Coleman said he was annoyed to see the generous offer made by the minister for defence “seems to have been snubbed” and, if the Maltese don’t want the vessel, then Cork could use it as a floating museum.

Mr Coleman (FF) said he was aware that a group in Cork’s lower harbour — close to the naval service headquarters at Haulbowline island — wanted a naval vessel to use as a museum.