Irish naval ships salute in mission handover

Naval Service history was made yesterday as LÉ Éithne and LÉ Niamh saluted each other in the Mediterranean, with the former heading home and the latter on her way to rescue migrants trying to get from North Africa to Europe.

It was the first time such a ceremony has been performed by Irish vessels outside of home waters.

Some of the LÉ Niamh’s crew were flown out to Malta last week to be briefed on the mission, and they were transferred from LÉ Eithne to their own vessel when the ships met.