Ireland disputes ownership of cannon at Tower of London over smuggling claims

New documents reveal a long-standing dispute between Ireland and the UK over a cannon at the Tower of London. Irish officials claim the cannon was illegally smuggled from a shipwreck off Waterford in the 1970s by British treasure hunters. The cannon, measuring 2.75 x 1.8 meters, was reportedly sold to a Tower official for £3,250. Irish authorities have sought its return, asserting that both Irish and English laws were violated during its acquisition. The Royal Armouries expressed a desire to resolve the issue, citing concerns about potential threats from the Provisional IRA. The cannon has been displayed without acknowledgment of its Irish origins.