#FirstRescue - The crew of LÉ Róisín under the command of her captain, Lieutenant Commander Ultan Finegan, were praised by Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D.in assisting with the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

The Minister commenting yesterday stated that "the Naval Service completed their 1st successful rescue mission this morning with the rescue of 125 migrants approximately 40 nautical miles North East of Tripoli. The 125 migrants comprising 107 men and 18 women were retrieved from an inflatable craft earlier today. “

The Minister went on to say that " the Government have approved the return of the Naval Service to the Mediterranean to assist the Italian authorities in tackling this very difficult humanitarian crisis. I would like to thank the crew of LE Róisín for their outstanding work in the Mediterranean today and to wish them continued success in their endeavours".

The operation demonstrates clearly the value of our participation in this important humanitarian response.