The Irish naval vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats rescued 117 people from a rubber craft off the coast of Tripoli on Thursday.

The rescue was carried out following a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue co-ordination centre.

LÉ William Butler Yeats had been appointed the “On-Scene Commander” and coordinated the rescue of a further 117 people by the MV Alexander Maersk.

On board the LÉ William Butler Yeats on Thursday.

All 234 migrants are now onboard LÉ William Butler Yeats receiving food, water and medical treatment where required.

LÉ William Butler Yeats deployed to the Mediterranean on July 14th as part of the Government’s response to the migrant crisis in Europe.

It was commissioned in October last year at a ceremony in Galway.