The Naval Service has responded by providing three of its ships as test centres with the LE Samuel Beckett due to become operational as a test centre for Dublin within days after mooring at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay. HSE officials believe “the considerable experience” garnered by Naval Service personnel during these rescue missions ensure they will be able to handle the numbers presenting for Covid-19 testing. Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service, Commodore Mick Malone has already issued a message to Naval Service personnel on social media, advising that the public will look to the service for “assurance and strong leadership”. Meanwhile the Cork County Board of the GAA has offered its state of the art €96 million Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium to the HSE as a possible test centre. Cork County Board chairperson, Tracey Kennedy told The Irish Times that Cork GAA offered Páirc Uí Chaoimh before the HSE set up a drive in test centre for possible Covid-19 sufferers at Croke Park in Dublin.
Source: The Irish Times March 18, 2020 19:30 UTC