Russian spy ship monitored by Defence Forces leaves Irish waters after two-day surveillance

“The Defence Forces have been monitoring that vessel for around 36 hours,” Mr Harris said. Picture: Denis Minihane.

A Russian intelligence-gathering vessel has now left Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after being monitored by the Defence Forces for two days.

Tánaiste and defence minister Simon Harris confirmed the ship had been in Ireland’s “area of interest”.

Mr Harris said that “vessels of interest” can occasionally enter Ireland's EEZ, and this is a “cause for concern”.

“The Defence Forces have been monitoring that vessel for around 36 hours,” Mr Harris said.

He added that the ship had left the EEZ and it is understood that it is currently travelling towards Cuba.

“I’ve been kept apprised of operations on an ongoing basis by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, and the security of the state, as a core business, is business as usual from the Defence Forces’ point of view,” Mr Harris said.

The ship, the Viktor Leonov, is a Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering vessel used by Russia.

A number of Russian ships have been monitored by the Naval Service in recent weeks, including a suspected “shadow fleet” tanker which, in March, sailed near Foynes Port in Limerick.