The LÉ James Joyce Source: Irish Defence Forces

IRELAND HAS JUST deployed another ship to the Mediterranean to help save migrants and refugees seeking to make their way to Europe.

The LÉ James Joyce will be the fifth Irish naval vessel deployed to the region and will carry on the humanitarian work of its predecessors.

It takes over from the LÉ Róisín which has been in the region for the past 10 weeks.

Last summer the LÉ Eithne was the first to Irish vessel to respond to the escalating crisis, spending nine weeks away from Ireland and rescuing almost 3,400 people.

More than 8,500 people have been rescued in total by Irish vessels.

Source: Irish Defence Forces

The new boat will be under the command of Lieutenant Commander Neil Manning and departed from the Naval Base in Haulbowline in Cork this morning.

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The LÉ James Joyce is one of the newest ships in the Irish navy, with its construction only being completed in 2014.

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