LÉ Eithne has been remembered as a naval vessel “ahead of its time” as it was sent to the scrapyard yesterday after 38 years of service.

It had been the flagship of the Irish Naval Service since it was constructed at Cork Harbour in 1984 up until it was decommissioned in 2022.

LÉ Eithne was the first helicopter-compatible ship in the Irish Navy and took part in historic missions such as a 2006 deployment to Argentina and a 2015 operation off the coast of Libya where it rescued hundreds of migrants.

On Moncrieff today, the ship's former captain Mark Mellet said it was “innovative” for its time.

“We had a SA365F Dauphin helicopter that was integrated with the ship which was the first time that was done in the history of the State,” he said.

“It was also equipped with other technologies like a 57mm Bofors weapons system with a fire control system too.

“It was really way ahead of its time and was very much on par with what was happening with other jurisdictions in those days.”

LE Eithne pictured searching for the Pere Charles fishing boat which sank off the coast of Wexford in 2007. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Mr Mellet, a former Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2021, said staffing the boat was a difficult task.

“She had over 80 crew when the flight crew embarked too,” he said.

“There were a lot of skills we had to develop within the service ourselves, build up a diving team capable of being able to deal with naval operations.

“I did my search and rescue training with the Royal Navy that time to get experience in search and recovery.”

LÉ Eithne was developed further over the years, according to Mr Mellet, who said it eventually was fitted with a gym, on top of existing recreation areas, laundry facilities and more.

South America

He recalled one trip to South America in 2006 where he and the crew helped Brazilian authorities in sinking a large buoy “the size of two double-decker busses” they had found drifting at sea

“We opened fire on it but only used 20mm ammunition," said Mr Mellet.

“There were sea valves on top of the buoys so we sent divers over with an engineer to open them so the water would come in quickly.

“No sooner were they on the buoy were they surrounded by hammerhead sharks, which can actually be quite vicious.

“There was a bit of a joke about it but we got the crew back and everyone was happy we had done our bit of service for the Brazilian authorities.”

Migrants rescued off the coast of Libya in 2015 pictured on board LE Eithne. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Mellet said a replacement ship is currently being considered.

“The Government is considering a multi-role vessel at the moment, but it will need to be created for the conditions we have now,” he said.

“What I’ve seen in my lifetime; the sea conditions off the west coast of Ireland have increased significantly in line with the changes in climate.

“The largest wave ever measured by scientific instrument was about 300 miles off the north-west coast of Mayo which was over 100ft in height – and our ships will need to have larger platforms to deal with that.”

LÉ Eithne was 278ft in length and could carry a maximum load of over 1,900 tonnes.

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Main image: LÉ Eithne pictured in Kinsale, Cork, 2019. Image: David Creedon / Alamy Stock Photo