The MV Matthew has left Cork after a stay lasting three years and carrying a reported cost of €16 million. The freighter, widely known for its role in a major 2023 drug interdiction off Ireland’s south coast, has now sailed for a European scrappage company.
Its departure ends a lengthy chapter for the vessel in Cork, where it had remained berthed since the high-profile maritime operation. The move marks a clear shift from the ship’s status as evidence and public focus to its final disposal.
The Matthew became one of the most closely watched ships in Ireland after the dramatic interception at sea in 2023. That case drew major attention because of the scale and significance of the operation, putting the freighter at the center of a major law enforcement story.
Now, with the ship on its way to be broken up, Cork’s long association with the MV Matthew has come to a close. The vessel’s exit also brings an end to the substantial costs linked to its extended stay.
