Is this a Loch Ness Monster relative on film?

THERE HAVE been plenty of dodgy sightings of the Loch Ness Monster in the Scottish body of water of the same name, but video footage has emerged of a Nessie-esque creature filmed in an Irish lough.

Is this a Nessie-like creature pictured in an Irish lough? Picture: Complimentary

Student Conall Melarkey was filming for a college project with friend David Lynch when a large creature broke through the surface of Lough Foyle, which can be seen on the video.

Melarkey posted the clip to YouTube asking, ‘Looks like we have our own Loch Ness Monster - any experts out there?’

Various hoaxes and stunts have been created in the past to give the appearance of a type of sea monster in Loch Ness (some more convincing than others) but this is one of the first recordings filmed outwith Scotland.

Is this a Nessie-like creature pictured in an Irish lough? Picture: Complimentary

As with most clips, the camera work is a little shaky and it’s difficult to tell just what Melarkey has filmed on the calm waters of the Lough.

Initial suggestions included a whale, sea debris or simply another viral stunt.

Melarkey has rebuffed claims that it was a staged prank to publicise the college project, adding: “Can’t believe people are suggesting this is just a viral promotion for our college project which is only two minutes long.”

Is this a creature similar to Nessie? Or is it simply a whale, or dolphin or similar? Or do you think it’s just another in a long line of hoaxes? Watch the video and have your say in the comments below...