Today
Scenes by Random Irish Photos of the return of the LE Eithne to Ireland [Cork harbour] following a tour of duty of the Mediterranean which included rescuing capsized migrants.
‘Randomer’ writes:
A few days ago, government ministers were tripping over themselves to be seen with the crew of LE Eithne.
The recent trip to Malta saw not one but three ministers, plus a rake of military top brass and high-ranking civil servants all on hand in the baking Maltese sunshine to welcome the Naval Service’s flagship into port at the end of her humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean.
Even the ship’s send off from its base in Cork merited not just Defence Minister Simon Coveney, but also the Taoiseach.
Earlier today, however, it was a moment where the political classes took a step back and let the crew and their families enjoy the moment they had all been waiting for since being deployed on May 16.
As the only ministerial attendee, Minister Simon Coveney kept it short and sweet – with a brief review of the guard of honour and then the families burst forward into the arms of their loved ones.
The LE Eithne has been operational for six weeks, carried out 22 separate rescue missions and rescued 3,400. A total of 170 of these were children.
The EU’s €120 million Triton mission, which replaced Italy’s Mare Nostrum migrant operation, started after growing concerns about the fate of migrants fleeing war-torn Africa and seeking a new life in Europe. Up to 1,000 migrants died in an horrific 24-hour period in April.
Minister Coveney confirmed earlier this month that Ireland will remain in the Mediterranean as part of the Triton mission until at least the end of September.
Follow The Randomer on Twitter
Truly fantastic work by our navy. Welcome home.
Pity the didn’t get paid their proper allowance whilst doing this outstanding work.
Fair f>ks, where fair bloody well dones and more are due.
well done all!
Proud of our boys and girls! Whopper job and a credit to the country.
Lookin’ mighty fine in those uniforms too. #heyiz
‘Randomer’ can be chief petty officer in any navy.
randomer sounds like a right pain. The ship arrived into Ireland? where is he from outer Mongolia and has he ever left Dublin? does he know about our naval bases around the country.
Well you certainly dont…where are these naval bases you speak of…after Haulbowline…?
Who took the photos lads :)
Random Irish Photos…
So proud!
Pretend “navy”. Not like they were doing anything overly dangerous. Now, the US navy, there’s a navy I could sink my teeth into.
“A few days ago, government ministers were tripping over themselves to be seen with the crew of LE Eithne.
The recent trip to Malta saw not one but three ministers, plus a rake of military top brass and high-ranking civil servants all on hand in the baking Maltese sunshine to welcome the Naval Service’s flagship into port at the end of her humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean.”
Welcome them in Malta, welcome them in Cork… Malta/Cork.. Malta/Cork.. All expenses paid by the taxpayer. That’s a tough one all right. Of course the scroungers are going to go to Malta.
Redacted is a tax exile in Malta, were they going to see him?
Did you send that comment from your I-phone?
No I sent it over the wiffy.
Hop along now.
Any chance the Navy and Military Top Brass will move to Greece and
perhaps rescue the Geeks from the robbers from Brussells and Berlin.
This country has no need for a navy or army.
Coastguard and armed response are sufficient. RNLI for emergencies.
We like to ape the UK but have zero to no actual resources to run a navy or army.
Don’t even mention the “Air Force”.
And I’m not trolling, so I don’t need idiots to tell me I’m wrong.
We are a tiny “neural” country, let’s start acting like one.
We’re a tiny, neutral *island*. Of course we need a navy.
They protect our fisheries.
And our sexy sexy mermaids.
This was the first…
I don’t get it.
The ship has been away for just six weeks on a non-hazardous operation picking up immigrants from the sea and they’re welcomed home like they’ve just fought in the 2nd World War.
Six weeks like.
Shows how little proper navy work our tin pot flotilla does.
I think rescuing people from the Syrian civil war which many of those people among others is something we can all be proud of. heard an interview this morning with an officer on board ship. made me very proud.
Irish Ferries eat your heart out
I really hope Laughter Tack or his/her kin never need to be airlifted to a hospital, or have an organ transported by air from somewhere in the country to them. But if they do, I’m sure the Air Corps (not Air Force, that the USA), will accommodate them.
Air ambulance does not need to be militarized.
In normal countries.
Great ! Hard work and fantastic outcome. Only one question now, what we can do with all those rescued people? As heard on RTE News today’s evening we will welcome additional 600 refuges. So free 600 houses plus benefits and happy life.
I’m glad to work harder and pay more taxes to pay for it. I’m just in silly hope that our Taoiseach do not know that my third bedroom is free, so he do not place some nice young isis fella in it.
Les, I can only wish you a speedy recovery from your aneurysm.
And this was the second… time you made me laugh on this thread tonight.
Thanks Mani.
You do this place a service sometimes, considering the amount of ****s commenting here.
Heya Kieran [Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted]
Irish navy is the only one that get home for there dinner every day .