Since the start of the year, the Naval Service, which was only able to have in operation a single patrol ship within Irish waters, could have two more vessels made available within a matter of weeks.

Due to a combination of not having key crew and mechanical issues, this has severely impacted the operations and ability of the Cork Harbour-based Naval Service. As only a single vessel has been dispatched from the naval base on Haulbowline to carry out key duties that cover drug interception duties, fishery stock monitoring, as well as (SAR) search and rescue.

According to Michael O’Sullivan, the former director of Europe’s Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, Narcotics MAOC (N), based in Lisbon, Portugal, said “by not resourcing our navy, we have handed the keys of the country over to the drug cartels to do with us what they wish.”

According to the Irish Examiner, which has more on the story, a second of its larger ships, possibly the OPV80 P50 class LÉ Niamh, could return to patrol service within the next few weeks.