Crew members of Irish Naval vessel the L.É. Eithne have been honoured with the new International Operational Service Medal.

They are the first Defence Forces members to receive the new honour - awarded to personnel who serve abroad on humanitarian missions.

It is a recognition of their work in the operation to save migrants in the Mediterranean during 2015.

Defence Forces personnel deployed to Sierra Leone during the Ebola Crisis were also honoured at the ceremony in Rosslare Co Wexford.

Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe made the presentations: