'Who is going to mind our backyard when this navy ship is away?'

The LÉ William Butler Yeats is due to be sent to Libya for June and July. Picture: Defence Forces

Questions have been raised over the decision to send a naval vessel to patrol Libya's coast at a time when the navy's ability to protect Irish waters is severely hampered by a staffing crisis.

The navy's four remaining ships have been tied up in Cork Harbour since the weekend due to personnel shortages. As a result, no patrols to identify illegal fishing or drug importation have been conducted off the coast.