Fears exit of seasoned personnel leading to more accidents after navy vessels suffer damage

The hole on the side of the LÉ Aoibhinn. It is primarily an inshore patrol vessel which hasn’t the size or durability to conduct patrols in the Atlantic and is used for fishery patrols off the south and east coasts.

A litany of mishaps is dogging the navy and concern has been raised that the exodus of experienced personnel is resulting in more frequent accidents and vital equipment not functioning.

The Irish Examiner can reveal the most serious damage done to a ship was when one of the two former New Zealand vessels, which cost €26m, collided with a pier in Kinsale.