LÉ George Bernard Shaw explained

LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) is a (OPV) of the Irish Naval Service. It is the fourth ship in a series of vessels designed by Vard Marine and built by Babcock Marine Appledore, and is named for the writer George Bernard Shaw.

Constructed in Devon, England, the vessel underwent keel laying in February 2017.^{[1] [2]} The vessel was first floated-out of the dry dock during March 2018,^[3] and was delivered to Haulbowline Naval Base on 11 October 2018, pending final fitting out, including installation of the main 76 mm cannon.^[4]

In December 2018, the vessel was made available for tours by the public in Galway,^[5] and it was formally commissioned in April 2019.

Operational Service

At around 1.10 am on 25 March 2020 a burglary occurred while the vessel was docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay.^[6] A man in his 30s was arrested and charged in relation to the incident, appearing before the courts the afternoon of 25 March.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fourth Irish Naval Service Vessel To Be Named 'George Bernard Shaw'. Thomas. Hall.
2. Web site: New Irish Naval Service Ship to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw. 1 March 2017.
3. Web site: Latest Irish Naval Service OPV LÉ George Bernard Shaw Is Floated-Out . Afloat Magazine . 9 March 2018 .
4. Web site: Minister Kehoe welcomes arrival of 4th Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Naval Service Department of Defence. www.defence.ie. en. 21 October 2018.
5. Web site: Newest Ship in the Irish Navy Open to Tours in Galway Docks . Afloat Magazine . afloat.ie . 31 December 2018 . 29 December 2018 . LÉ George Bernard Shaw was brought into Naval Service this year [2018] and will have a formal naming ceremony in 2019 .
6. News: Man arrested following theft aboard naval vessel docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin. thejournal.ie. McCrave. Conor. 26 March 2020. 26 March 2020.