Naval service prepares plans to resume rescue of refugees

The naval service has already made plans to send the LÉ Roisin to the Mediterranean Sea in the event the next government decides to renew last year’s humanitarian mission there.

News of the planned deployment came yesterday as crews from LÉ Eithne, LÉ Niamh and LÉ Samuel Beckett were accorded a civic reception in County Hall for saving the lives of 8,631 men, women and children.

Naval service top brass have been making preparations in recent weeks in anticipation that they will be called on again to aid ‘Operation Pontius,’ supporting the Italian Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in rescuing migrants trying to cross into Europe from Libya.