Navy's first woman ship commander to start tomorrow

Navy lieutenant commander Roberta O’Brien will make Irish naval history tomorrow when she takes command of L.E. Aisling, becoming the first female officer to command a state ship.

Roberta, 31, from Aherlow, Co Tipperary, joined the naval service as a cadet in 1995. Her family has strong military links with both her grandfather and uncle having served in the naval service and her brother and sister currently serving in the army. Her husband is an army officer, Captain Peadar O’Cathain.