The British Navy's HMS Monmouth arrived in Dublin yesterday for a four-day courtesy call. Under Cdr P. D. Lemkes, the type-23 frigate docked at Alexandra Basin with its crew of 15 officers and 150 sailors. Although fully armed, the Monmouth's missiles are not on board and it has no nuclear capacity at present.
The goodwill visit, part of a six-week tour that is taking the Monmouth to the Hebrides, for helicopter trials, and then to Bordeaux, is seen as a sign of increasingly good relations between the Republic and Britain and the lessening of concern over security as a result of the ceasefire in the North. Next weekend, the RAF's Red Arrows will mount a display at an air show in Salthill, Galway.
Last night, Cdr Lemkes hosted a cocktail party on board and today the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Mr Seamus Brennan, will go on board to present Gaisce awards to children.
For security reasons the vessel is not open to the public during the visit.
The frigate, named after the Duke of Monmouth, flies a black flag, as he was hanged as a traitor.
Four Sinn Fein councillors, Mr Christy Burke, Mr Nicky Keogh, Mr Larry O'Toole and Mr Dessie Ellis, issued a statement protesting against the visit which said: "The continued presence of British troops in part of our country means that there is no welcome for this warship in our city."