Amid attempts to land drugs on Irish coast, Naval Service can still only deploy one ship

Lack of operational vessels is limiting the navy's patrols in Irish waters, and curtails the effect of improved Defence Forces pay

The LÉ George Bernard Shaw, right, among vessels at the Irish Naval Service base in Haulbowline, Cork Harbour. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

As authorities on the south coast deal with yet another attempt to import drugs into the region by sea, the spotlight turns yet again on the lack of naval ships available to patrol and intercept drug ships.

In a statement yesterday, a spokesperson for Defence Minister and Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Defence Forces “support An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners in preventing drug trafficking, as the need arises”.