The Irish Naval ship LE Emer arrived at North Custom Quay, Cork on 20 September for the final time prior to being decommissioned. Former crew members and their families were invited for a trip from the naval base to Cork followed by a reception on board. Twinned with Cork City in 2000, she is being replaced by two new and slightly larger ships than the present Niamh and Roisin. The new vessel, to be named LE Samuel Becket, is costing €49 million and will be twinned with Cork when she arrives in January 2014
LE Emer, which was built in Cork Dockyard in 1978 and has reached the end of her operational life, was laid down in February 1977, launched on 26 September 1977 and commissioned on 16 January 1978. She was used to transport Irish troops to South Lebanon in 1979 to serve with the United Nations. LE Emer will be sold at auction during October.
