Baby born on Irish ship 'in good health' in Sicily

A spokesperson confirmed naval vessels flying the Irish flag are considered Irish territory.

A baby born on board an Irish naval vessel in the Mediterranean, and her mother, are both said to be in good health this morning.

Baby Destiny was delivered on the LE Niamh, which is on a mission helping migrants in the Mediterranean. Her Nigerian mother Grace had earlier been rescued by the crew from a barge.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said this morning that the humanitarian mission is subject to a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Italy, and the citizenship of the child is "an Italian matter at the moment."

However, the spokesperson confirmed that naval vessels flying the Irish flag are considered sovereign territory. Any possible future application for citizenship for the child would be dealt with by the Department of Justice.

Commander Ken Minihan, a Senior Naval Officer on board the LE Niamh, said Destiny and Grace have since left the ship for medical care in Sicily.

"Our medical staff said that she was going to give birth in the next couple of hours, which she did around 7pm last night," he said.

"The medical staff took good care of her - the baby was born without complication. The mother and baby are in good health, and were brought ashore to Sicily, where they were treated by medical staff."