The Irish navy has helped Ireland reinforce its claim to Rockall – the rocky outcrop off the coast of Donegal.
It’s claimed by the British, the Danes and the Icelanders but the Irish Navy has again laid claim to the hotly contested outcrop.
The navy ship LE Roisin exercised Ireland’s sovereign rights over the plot this week in a “showing the flag” patrol.
The rock lies 230 nautical miles northwest of Bloody Foreland.
It may only be a dot in the Atlantic, but ownership of the tiny island – which rises 70ft out of the ocean and is a mere 83ft across – is hotly contested given its location.
That’s because it sits on what is believed to be vast oil and gas fields worth billions of euro.
The Defence Forces said the Irish Naval Service routinely conducts maritime security patrols to exercise Ireland’s sovereign rights.
In 1955 the British announced they had landed a party on Rockall and taken possession of it in the name of Queen Elizabeth. A flagpole was erected, the Union Jack hoisted and a commemorative plaque bolted to the granite.
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