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Updated at 5.45pm
THE LÉ EITHNE will return from its humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean in around a month’s time, the Defence Forces have confirmed.
Lieutenant Commander Eric Timon told RTÉ’s News at One this afternoon that the the ship, which left Cork on 16 May, would remain in the area until mid-July.
“She’s to be replaced by another Irish Naval vessel, and we’re currently making preparations for that,” he added.
Today’s operations
The ship was involved in another mass rescue effort today – in two separate operations.
367 migrants were located on a wooden barge around 50km north of Tripoli earlier, and have been taken on board the vessel where they’re receiving medical screening, food and water.
Later on, 100 migrants on a rubber craft were also taken on board.
“There are now approximately 460 migrants on board the LÉ Eithne, receiving food, water and medical attention where required,” a statement said.
The LÉ Eithne is awaiting direction from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre for next tasking.
The ship departed from the Naval Service Headquarters in Haulbowline, Cork in May to assist Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean – in response to the growing migrant crisis in the area.
With reporting by Daragh Brophy.
Video: Hundreds of rescued migrants aboard Irish ship arrive in Italy
Watch: 200 migrants rescued by Irish Naval ship LÉ Eithne off Libyan coast
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