Navy's first woman ship commander to start tomorrow

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.

Thu, 13 Nov, 2008 - 11:42

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.

The handover parade will take place at Galway docks tomorrow afternoon.

The Defence Forces have had women serving since 1980 with women currently making up just over 5% of overall strength. Women have served in the Irish Navy since 1995 with 23 officers, three cadets and 45 enlisted personnel currently serving.