An elaborate plan involving the Irish Navy and the Air Corps was put in place for urgent contact with taoiseach Charlie Haughey when he holidayed with his family on a private island off the coast of Kerry each year. The Haugheys would spend part of August based on the island, and would also go for multi-day trips on the family yacht, Celtic Mist. At least one of the Irish Navy ships – LE Aoife, LE Eithne, and LE Deirdre – would be patrolling in southern, or south-western, waters during the time, within relative proximity of the island. It is known that Haughey invited boarding crews from Navy ships to visit the island from time to time during his time as taoiseach. Senior officials had tremendous difficulty in contacting Haughey, who was staying on his island.

Source: The Irish Times December 30, 2019 01:07 UTC