Naval vessel Beckett joins migrant aid

THE LE Samuel Beckett is returning to the Mediterranean as part of EU efforts to disrupt people smuggling.

The naval patrol vessel will set sail today to join Operation Sophia, the 27-nation mission working between Libya and Italy.

The Beckett will also assist in rescuing migrants at risk of drowning.

Irish naval services have been involved with aid in the Med through a bilateral agreement with Italy for a number of years.

Defence Minister Paul Kehoe said he is confident Ireland will help address “the root causes of migration and human trafficking”.