WATCH: Joy mixed with regret for LÉ James Joyce crew on return from Mediterranean

The crew of LÉ James Joyce picked up the living and dead, exploited by unscrupulous Islamic extremist- connected people smugglers who packed desperate people into flimsy vessels so unseaworthy it’s extremely unlikely they’d ever make it across the Mediterranean Sea from Libya.

The Naval Service crew beamed with pride yesterday as they disembarked at their home base after rescuing 2,697 migrants, but it was obvious they’re also harbouring harrowing memories of being too late to save 21 people, including a heavily pregnant woman and her unborn child.

The joyous scenes as the sailors were reunited with their families mask some of the horrors they will probably never forget.