LE Roisin slipping and proceeding from Haulbowline en route to Med Search and Rescue mission this afternoon pic.twitter.com/am5WuDhish — Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) May 1, 2016 Source: Irish Defence Forces /Twitter

THE LE RÓISIN will today depart for the Mediterranean as part of Ireland’s continued effort to help the refugee crisis.

The Naval Service vessel will carry 60 crew under the command of the ship’s captain Lieutenant Commander Ultan Finegan.

It’s believed that the ship will be deployed in the Mediterranean until the middle of July during which time its primary role will be to assist Italian authorities in search and rescue activities.

The LE Róisín is the first of three Irish naval vessels that will be deployed as part of the current effort. Each deployment is scheduled to last for 12 weeks.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney was present at the Naval Base, Haulbowline this morning ahead of today’s departure.

Coveney has said that the dispatch of the LE Róisín to the Mediterranean represents a “tangible and valuable Irish national contribution” to the life-saving effort.

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The Immigrant Council of Ireland says that over 8,500 people are alive today as a direct result of the actions of the Irish Naval Service in the seas north of Africa.

ICI chief executive Brian Killoran says that this should be a “source of national pride” for the country:



Today belongs to the men and women on board the LÉ Róisín and their families – and it is right that they should be central to our thoughts as the Navy again becomes a source of national pride.

“As the country heads towards a new Government it is vital that there is a new focus on meeting other commitments given on the refugee crisis last September – including ending the delays in giving people shelter and hope in Irish communities.”