It’s just an illusion!

According to experts, the anomaly at the bottom of Lough Foyle is not a submarine or shipwreck.

It had been thought that an object found on a sonar was a submarine, and it was speculated that it may be a war grave or that there may be munitions unboard.

But the Environment Minister today said it was all an illusion.

Alex Attwood explained: “The sonic images presented from this site in March indicated a possibility of a submerged submarine or shipwreck. This in turn created much public interest. I therefore convened a meeting where I gathered all the key marine experts to ensure we established accurately what was located here. That led to a series of sonar surveys being carried out. This new work has not confirmed the possibility of a submarine or other significant find.

“The original image that excited interest was the form of a ‘sonic illusion’. When the site was scoped out the sonar exaggerated and enlarged what is there in the sweep around the site.

“There is no doubt for a moment there was a thrilling possibility which has now not come to pass. I do share a sense of disappointment.”