Families overjoyed as naval heroes from LÉ Samuel Beckett return from Mediterranean

LÉ Samuel Beckett’s crew saved 106 migrants from drowning, revived an unresponsive baby, searched ships for suspected gun-running and, at night, watched gun battles rage on the shore between rival militias fighting for control of Libya.

Lt Jason O’Brien, Ballincollig, with his son Diarmuid, 3, on his return from duties in the Mediterranean. Pictures: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Stories of their three-month deployment with the EU taskforce operating in the Mediterranean Sea emerged yesterday as the 54-strong crew returned home to joyful scenes and a reunion with their families.

The ship’s captain, Lieutenant Commander Eoin Smyth, said the EUNAVFOR-Med Operation Sophia mission was now more focused on “breaking up the business model used by people-smugglers”.