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Ireland does not want to have any ‘hand’ in supplying weapons damaging Ukraine, says Taoiseach
🇮🇪 Ireland /Conflict & Security

Ireland does not want to have any ‘hand’ in supplying weapons damaging Ukraine, says Taoiseach

From Irish Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed concern over the Aughinish Alumina plant potentially supplying materials used in weapons damaging Ukraine.
  • The plant, owned by a company controlled by sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, ships alumina to Russia, where it is used to produce aluminum for Russian arms manufacturers.
  • While acknowledging the plant's importance as an employer, Martin stated the government will investigate the matter and engage with the European Commission regarding potential sanctions, noting that alumina is not currently sanctioned.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has voiced concerns that materials from the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick could be used in the production of weapons causing "brutal" damage to Ukraine. The plant is reportedly shipping significant quantities of alumina to Russia, which is then used to manufacture aluminum supplied to numerous Russian arms producers.

I would have concerns if material from Aughinish was being used in the war against the Ukrainian people, and particularly in terms of the brutality of that war and the attacks on infrastructure and civilians.

— Micheál MartinIrish Taoiseach expressing concern about the potential use of Aughinish Alumina's products in the war against Ukraine.

The Irish Times reported that the plant remains under the control of Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch, citing a confidential Swedish tax authority report. Martin stated his concern, particularly regarding the "brutality" of the war and attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. "I would have concerns if material from Aughinish was being used in the war against the Ukrainian people," he told reporters.

The plant was a 'significant employer' and a lot of livelihoods in the midwest region depended on the facility.

— Micheál MartinIrish Taoiseach acknowledging the economic importance of the Aughinish Alumina plant.

However, Martin also acknowledged the plant's significant role as an employer in the midwest region of Ireland. "The plant was a 'significant employer' and a lot of livelihoods in the midwest region depended on the facility," he said. This highlights a tension between international concerns over the war in Ukraine and the economic realities for the local community.

But on the other hand, we don’t want to in any shape or form have product that ends up as weapons or as explosives that impact on Ukraine.

— Micheál MartinIrish Taoiseach balancing economic concerns with the ethical implications of the plant's exports.

The Irish government plans to "engage" with the European Commission following an ongoing investigation by the Department of Enterprise into the revelations. Martin noted that any sanctions must consider their impact on European industries' supply chains, adding that "Alumina as a product hasn’t been sanctioned to date." He indicated that the destination of the plant's products has shifted in recent years, and the government is committed to examining the full facts before taking further action.

Alumina as a product hasn’t been sanctioned to date.

— Micheál MartinIrish Taoiseach stating the current status of sanctions regarding alumina.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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