Decision to end migrant rescue operation labelled 'outrageous abdication of responsibilities'
The EU is winding down Operation Sophia amid pressure from Italy and other countries.
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The EU is winding down Operation Sophia amid pressure from Italy and other countries.
Commander Brian Fitzgerald said he was extremely proud of his team.
The LÉ Eithne is now enroute to assist in another rescue operation.
A baby girl was born on the LE Eithne.
The LÉ Eithne was previously deployed to the region in 2015.
More than 8,500 people have been rescued by the Irish navy over the past two years.
453 migrants rescued by the crew in recent days have also arrived in port in Sicily.
It has also been reported this morning that Ireland is set to take in an additional 600 migrants over the next two years.
Crew members are entitled to a higher daily allowance, according to an association representing personnel.
the Lé Eithne has been operating in the Mediterranean since last month.
The operation aims to ‘dismantle the business model’ of human traffickers.
Another Irish Naval vessel will be sent to replace the Éithne, once her mission comes to an end.
Over 1,150 people have been rescued by the LÉ Eithne in the 10 days in which it has been operating in the Mediterranean.
The crew has now rescued 1,064 migrnats in the Mediterranean.
In five successful missions, the crew has now rescued 756 migrants in the Mediterranean.
The third operation is still ongoing. The Defence Forces’ flagship came across a dingy with 100 migrants on board at 9.45am this morning.
The Defence Forces have released dramatic video of the rescue operation. The migrants were part of a flotilla of five makeshift inflatable vessels attempting to cross to Europe.
There’s 68 on board the LÉ Eithne.
Around 1,750 people have died this year trying to cross the sea from North Africa to Europe.
Michael D Higgins has a number of engagements in the north west of England today as he continues his three-day visit.