The captain and crew of the Irish sail training vessel Asgard II, which sank off the west coast of France early yesterday, have arrived in Ireland this afternoon.
Twenty trainees and five crew were rescued from life rafts by the French coastguard, after the vessel went down 20 nautical miles off the coast of France in the Bay of Biscay.
President Mary McAleese praised the ship's captain, Colm Newport, and his crew for averting a tragedy with a speedy and orderly evacuation during a 'most difficult and challenging experience'.
The cause of the sinking has not been established.
The operation of the Asgard II, which is a civilian-run traditionally rigged sailing ship, is run by a voluntary committee chaired by the Minister for Defence.
Meanwhile, Willie O'Dea has said counselling services will be made available to the crew and trainees who were aboard the vessel.
The Minister said the Marine Casualty Investigation Board has begun an investigation and as yet there was no timeframe for the possible raising of the vessel.
