Watch: Decommissioned naval vessel LÉ Aisling sold for a ‘disappointing’ €110K

AFTER 37 years and 628,856 miles, the LÉ Aisling was sold at auction for just €110,000.

The figure was described as 'disappointing' by auctioneers.

Just two bids were received for the famous ship, which was decommissioned last year after almost four decades on the seas.

Dutch ship broker Dick van der Kamp was behind the winning bid, with the €110,000 substantially lower than the prices paid for similar vessels in recent years.

LÉ Emer was sold for €320,000 in 2014, with the LÉ Deirdre was auctioned off for €240,000 in 2001.

Mr Van der Kamp said he did not know what purpose the ship would have in the coming years.

"I don't know yet," he said.

"It might be converted as a private yacht. It might be used as a guard ship."

He said the ship will be towed to the Netherlands within a matter of weeks and his firm will then consider expressions of interest in it.

The Dutch firm currently has 25 other vessels on their books and have supplied vessels for use as pilot boats and even ice-breakers.

Just one other bid was received at yesterday's auction in Carrigaline.

It is believed that a Cobh-based businessman was behind the other bid of €100,000.

Auctioneer Dominic Daly said 'it was a little disappointing' that just two bids were received on the day.

LÉ Aisling is best-known for leading the successful arrest of the Marita Ann trawler off the Kerry coast in 1984 as part of an investigation into IRA arms smuggling.

It was also one of the first vessels to respond to the Air India tragedy off the Cork coast.