‘No undue pressure’ on Eithne crew after saving 3,000 lives

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has said he believes the crew of the LÉ Eithne are not under “any undue pressure” despite rescuing almost 3,000 people from rafts in the Mediterranean in recent weeks.

“They are dealing with more people than any of us expected, to be honest,” Mr Coveney said. “But I think they are doing a very professional job and my understanding is that they are not under any undue pressure.”

Mr Coveney made his comments yesterday as he confirmed plans to travel to Malta on Monday with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Development Minister Seán Sherlock for meetings with their European counterparts on the Mediterranean refugee crisis.