Paperwork blunder keeps LÉ Eithne in Cork Harbour when it should be in Med

A paperwork blunder has forced an Irish Naval refugee rescue ship to remain berthed in Cork Harbour, days after it was due to set sail for the Mediterranean.

The crew of the Naval Service’s flagship LÉ Eithne have been training for the humanitarian mission since the end of last year.

But is has emerged that the Department of Defence and its Italian counterpart did not complete the necessary paperwork.