The LÉ Eithne has returned to Cork following its 60-day humanitarian deployment in the Mediterranean.
The crew of 72 departed from the naval base at Haulbowline on 23 May.
During the deployment the naval vessel took part in a number of rescue operations involving migrants attempting to travel from northern Africa to Europe.
The mission was led by one of the Naval Service's most experienced officers, Commander Brian FitzGerald.
It is the second such mission completed by the LÉ Eithne over the past two years, having first been deployed in May 2015.
In total there have been seven Irish deployments to the Mediterranean in the intervening period.
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— Irish Defence Forces (@defenceforces) July 22, 2017
Family and friends waiting for the crew of LE Eithne pic.twitter.com/P14UEVUgbK
