28 May 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D. today praised the crew of LÉ Róisín under the command of her captain, Lieutenant Commander Ultan Finegan, for their continued role in assisting with the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.
The Minister confirmed that LÉ Róisín has completed three operations today. One of the operations involved the rescue of 123 migrants from a 12m long rubber vessel craft 28 nautical miles Northwest of Tripoli. Unfortunately during the course of the rescue one deceased male migrant was also recovered from the rubber vessel craft. The other two operations involved the transfer of 101 migrants from an Italian ship and 123 migrants from a German ship to the Irish Naval Vessel.
The Minister stated “I am deeply saddened by this loss of life and I want to thank the crew of LÉ Róisín for their ongoing contribution and assistance to those in distress in the Mediterranean.”
The Minister went on to say that “our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased male, the survivors and the rescuers involved in today’s operations. I would like to thank the crew of LÉ Róisín for their work in the Mediterranean and to wish them continued success in their endeavours”.
The rescue today brings to 642 the number of migrants rescued by LÉ Róisín since it commenced operations on 12 May 2016.
