On a divided and tragic island where bombs and bullets so often make the headlines, Ireland north and south have joined forces to save the life of a turtle.

The tiny loggerhead turtle, washed up exhausted on the shores of western Ireland, has become a media star and even joined the Irish army after his incredible journey from the balmy Caribbean to the storm-tossed Atlantic.The 3-year-old turtle was found last week by a local fisherman, lying barely alive on a County Kerry beach. He had been swept thousands of miles on the currents of the Gulf Stream.

A specially equipped aquarium at Portaferry in British-ruled Northern Ireland offered to take the turtle for rest and recuperation and that is where the Irish army stepped in.

The turtle was flown by the Irish state airline Aer Lingus to Dublin last Friday and then transferred to a military helicopter.

Portaferry Aquarium spokesman Dee Pettigrew said: "The co-operation between north and south was just great. It was a fantastic sight to see the helicopter from the south landing on our local football field opposite the police station."

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The turtle promptly became a star on Irish television on both sides of the border.

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