An Irish Defence Forces maritime surveillance aircraft appears to have been deployed to monitor an oil tanker that has been pursued in the North Atlantic by the United States in recent weeks.
Flight-tracking data shows that an Irish Air Corps C295 aircraft departed Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel at approximately 11.30am, with its position at around 2pm coinciding with that of the oil tanker.
The Russian-flagged vessel, Marinera, has been seeking to evade US authorities in the Atlantic by turning off and on its transponder.
Satellite data shows the Marinera around 400km west of Ireland, travelling north, outside the State's Exclusive Economic Zone.
It has been reported that the vessel was due to collect oil in Venezuela before US President Donald Trump declared a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers transiting to or from the country.
In the past week, the vessel's name was changed from 'Bella 1' to 'Marinera' and its registration was changed from Guyanese to Russian. It is therefore under Russian protection and Moscow has asked the US to stop its pursuit.
Former Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett said that the vessel was sanctioned by the United States in 2024 because of its links with Iran.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said: "The US put this designation on the vessel, effectively making it blocked property. Even though Russia is warning to give the vessel free passage, once it was sanctioned it was a matter between the vessel and the US itself.
"What is happening now is that the US is becoming more belligerent to try and deal with shadow fleets which are actually interfering with the price of oil. This vessel could have the capacity to carry up to two million barrels of oil," he added.
In a statement, the Defence Forces said it does not comment on specific operational matters.
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