News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The crew of 72 had departed from the naval base at Haulbowline, Co Cork, on 23 May

LÉ Eithne returns to Cork after Mediterranean mission

The LÉ Eithne has returned to Cork following its 60-day humanitarian deployment in the Mediterranean.

lé eithne • 22 Jul 17

Rescued migrants are pictured being brought aboard the Irish Navy vessel

LÉ Eithne rescues over 700 migrants in Mediterranean

The LÉ Eithne has rescued more than 700 people during a number of rescue operations in the Mediterranean today.

Ireland • 25 Jun 17

LÉ Eithne has rescued over 3,000 migrants

LÉ Niamh sets sail to help in Mediterranean crisis

After an eight week mission in the Mediterranean the LÉ Eithne has departed Malta on its week long journey home.

News • 10 Jul 15

Ministers Coveney and Fitzgerald and Junior Minister Sean Sherlock with the crew of LÉ Eithne

LÉ Eithne on standby as Mediterranean mission ends

The Irish navy's LÉ Eithne is tied up in Valetta, Malta, as its mission in the Mediterranean comes to an end.

News • 07 Jul 15

Yesterday nearly 600 were rescued by the Defence Forces (Pic: Irish Defence Forces Flickr)

Over 1,000 rescued by LÉ Eithne over two days

Over 1,000 migrants have been rescued by LÉ Eithne off the coast of Tripoli over the past two days.

News • 29 Jun 15

The rescue mission was carried out at around 4am Irish time (Pic: Irish Defence Forces Flickr)

LÉ Eithne rescues 593 migrants off Libya coast

Almost 600 migrants have been rescued from six separate inflatable vessels by Irish naval vessel LÉ Eithne off the coast of Libya.

News • 28 Jun 15

There are now approximately 519 migrants on board LÉ Eithne (Pic: Irish Defence Forces)

LÉ Eithne rescues 519 migrants off coast of Libya

The LÉ Eithne has rescued 519 migrants from three separate vessels off the coast of Libya.

News • 23 Jun 15

Nine children were among those rescued this morning

460 migrants rescued by LÉ Eithne off Libyan coast

Irish naval vessel LÉ Eithne has been involved in the rescue of more than 400 migrants off the coast of Libya in two separate operations.

News • 15 Jun 15

The HMS Bulwark has rescued nearly 3,000 migrants in the Mediterranean

Migrant crisis in Mediterranean 'biblical'

The Irish Naval Service has said the number of migrants being rescued in the Mediterranean is "biblical" in proportion.

News • 08 Jun 15

LÉ Eithne will be deployed in the Mediterranean for a period of up to six months over the summer period

LÉ Eithne returning to port with 399 migrants

The Irish naval vessel Eithne has been directed by Italian authorities to travel to Taranto Port in Italy to transfer the 399 migrants who are currently aboard the ship.

News • 08 Jun 15

Nearly 400 migrants on board LÉ Eithne tonight

LÉ Eithne has rescued a further 89 migrants 75 kilometres north of Libya, bringing the number of migrants on board the vessel tonight to 399.

News • 07 Jun 15

The Navy said 217 men, 35 women and 48 children were rescued (Pic: Defence Forces)

LÉ Eithne rescues 450 migrants off Libyan coast

The LÉ Eithne has carried out another rescue of 450 migrants off the coast of Libya in the early hours of this morning, bringing to over 600 the number of people the crew has rescued since yesterday.

News • 29 May 15

Men, women and children were on five makeshift boats trying to cross the Mediterranean (All images courtesy of the Defence Forces)

LÉ Eithne rescues 201 migrants off Libyan coast

Irish naval vessel LÉ Eithne has rescued 201 migrants off the coast of Libya this afternoon.

News • 28 May 15

Taoiseach Enda Kenny met the crew prior to their departure today

LÉ Eithne departs to help tackle migrant crisis

The Naval Service Flagship, LÉ Eithne, is en route for the Mediterranean to assist in the humanitarian operation to rescue migrants fleeing North Africa.

News • 16 May 15

The LÉ Eithne is expected to sail on Saturday

LÉ Eithne to assist in Mediterranean operations

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has received Cabinet approval to deploy the LÉ Eithne to the Mediterranean to help in search and rescue operations for migrants seeking access to Europe.

News • 12 May 15

The LE Eithne mission is subject to Cabinet approval

LE Eithne may aid in migrant crisis

A spokesman for Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that the decision to send LE Eithne to aid in the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean has still to be formally approved by the Cabinet.

News • 09 May 15

Lé Eithne