Minister pledges continued support for Naval Service to ensure Ireland maintains sovereignty over maritime jurisdiction

The Government remains committed to supporting the Naval Service to ensure Ireland’s sovereignty is maintained over the State’s maritime jurisdiction, Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe pledged yesterday.

Mr Kehoe said the success of the Naval Service in the areas of fishery protection, search and rescue and in providing aid to the civil power was evident to all and had helped convey the importance of the Naval Service to the wider community.

“Our ships signal to everybody that we are committed to good governance in our oceans and they serve as a warning to those who think about flouting the norms and principles of the Irish State and the wider international community,” Mr Kehoe said.

Mr Kehoe was speaking at the Naval Service commissioning ceremony where six former cadets received their scrolls of commission before a large gathering of dignitaries, as well as family and friends, at the Naval Service headquarters at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

Colm Brennan, Jason Croke, Paul Kavanagh, David McKenna, Dean McMahon and Vivienne O'Grady were all members of the 51st cadet class who accepted their scrolls from Mr Kehoe after swearing their allegiance to the State and accepting their ceremonial swords.

Sub-Lieut O'Grady, from Castleconnell in Co Limerick, received the award for the best overall cadet and she spoke of her delight on receiving her commission, which follows 10 years as a member of the Naval Service Reserve.

“I started in the Naval Service Reserve in Limerick when I was 16 . . . I worked my way up from ordinary seaman to a leading seaman. I always wanted to join the Naval Service so I’m delighted to receive my commission today.”