Magic moments as sailors return from migrant rescue mission

Amid a sea of human misery there were heartwarming moments: The arrival of a new life and migrants singing happy birthday to a 21-year-old sailor who was happy to forego celebrating his milestone day to ensure they were safe.

Such stories will become the stuff of legend in the Naval Service in the years to come, and some of them were related when LÉ Eithne returned home after a migrant rescue mission in Mediterranean Sea.

Its 72-strong crew saved many of the rescued 1,187 people from almost certain drowning.