A ceremony to award a Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) medal and commendations to members of the Naval Service.
The awards are in relation to their actions during one of the largest drug seizures in the history of the state. The ceremony will take place at 11am on Friday 2nd February 2018, in Haulbowline Naval Base.
Photo: (Irish Defence Forces via Twitter @defenceforces)
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe TD., accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces ,Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, attended the ceremony.
During the course of the ceremony Lieutenant Commander Jamie Cotter received a Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction for his actions as Boarding Officer during Operation Seabight. His actions displayed bravery, courage and devotion to duty in an extremely hazardous operational environment, leading to the arrest and detention of the yacht ‘Dances with Waves’ on the 05 November 2008.
Commander (Retired) Eugene Ryan and Lieutenant Commander Martin Brett have also received Commendations due to their actions during the operation. Commander Ryan was the Commander of Fleet Operations ashore with overall responsibility of the operation, whilst Lieutenant Commander Martin Brett, Commanding Officer of LÉ Niamh was in tactical command of the two ship task group which conducted the boarding action.
