Latest news with #Askeaton
BreakingNews.ie
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Gardaí questioning man (40s) in connection with discovery of 'viable' bomb in Limerick
Gardaí were questioning a man in his 40s in connection with the discovery of viable bombs in Limerick and the north of Ireland last Friday. Reliable sources said the man was being questioned by gardaí as part of an ongoing cross border Garda - PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) investigation. Advertisement One of the bombs was discovered close to the large alumina refinery Aughinish Alumina, located between Foynes and Askeaton, Co Limerick. The Rusal alumina giant, which owns the plant, had not responded to media queries sent to it last Sunday. It's understood that up to 100 of the 450 staff employed at the Rusal-owned Aughinish refinery were unable to leave the plant as a 350-metre security cordon was put in place allowing gardaí and members of the Defence Forces respond at the scene for several hours between Friday night and Saturday morning. It's understood that gardaí are no longer investigating the possibility that the bomb could have been a reaction to Russia's largest bombarded on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, last Thursday night. Advertisement A spokesman for the Irish Defence Forces confirmed the bomb was 'viable', meaning it was capable of detonating and causing injuries or death. A statement provided by the Defence Forces read: 'On Friday evening, bomb experts from the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Síochána (AGS) in relation to a suspect device in the area of Askeaton, Co. Limerick.' 'Following an assessment, the EOD team confirmed the device was viable, and it was rendered safe. The EOD Team then handed the scene over to AGS.'. The army EOD unit were on scene for a total of six hours, from arrival on scene at 6.58pm, Friday, to departure at 01.04am, Saturday 5th July. Advertisement Gardaí said they were 'alerted' to the bomb after its discovery at approximately 3.30pm, last Friday, 'and a cordon was established' until the scene was declared safe. The area where the bomb was found is located close to a publicly accessible nature walking trail. In February 2022, gardaí launched an investigation into criminal damage at the entrance to Aughinish Alumina which was daubed with slogans in red paint, similar in nature to paint attacks at Russian embassies around the world in protest at Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Other bombs were found elsewhere in the north west of Ireland. Advertisement A Garda statement released to the media on Tuesday, said:'As part of the investigation into the discovery of a number of attempted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Northeast and Southwest of the country, a male (40s) was arrested on Sunday, 6th July 2025.' 'The male was arrested during an operation on Sunday evening involving National, Regional and local Garda units in County Monaghan.' Gardaí said the suspect was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the North Western Region. 'An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with our colleagues in the PSNI in relation to this investigation.'
Irish Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Wyeth manufacturing facility in Limerick hits the market for €22m
A high-spec manufacturing facility, currently owned and operated by Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland, in Askeaton, Co Limerick , is being brought to the market asking €22 million. The high quality and large-scale manufacturing facility in the heart of the Golden Vale, which is being brought to the market by Colliers, measures about 771,689 sq ft and sits on about 39.5 acres. In October 2023, Wyeth owner Nestlé announced it would close the Askeaton facility, which manufactures infant formula. At the time it blamed falling demand for imported infant formula in China for the decision. The production plant and R&D centre are to be shut down on a phased basis, between March 2025 and March 2026, with the loss of 542 jobs. Wyeth has appointed external engineering consultants to review the entire site to outline potential configurations, to show its suitability for conversion to alternative manufacturing uses. READ MORE The property extends to a total gross floor area of about 771,689sq ft, and can be divided into three main buildings. To the southern end of the facility is a state-of-the-art research and development facility, which was completed in 2019. This R&D facility measures about 64,990sq ft, and includes offices over two storeys, laboratories, pilot processing areas and warehousing. There is an additional 21,387 sq ft of warehousing, which sits adjacent the R&D facility. The second building comprises the main production and manufacturing area, while to the north of the production area there is a large high bay warehouse with adjoining ancillary warehousing, all measuring 167,265sq ft. The plant has its own combined heat and power plant, and surplus power is sent into the national grid. There is also a wastewater treatment plant with its own direct water supply. The facility is immediately north of the town of Askeaton, about 22km west of Limerick city on the banks of the river Deel. Plans have been approved to link Askeaton and Foynes Port to the Adare bypass, an upgrade which is expected to significantly reduce drive times to Limerick, Shannon Airport and the wider motorway network. In addition, Colliers is offering for sale a separate agricultural holding adjacent to the facility. The lands, which measure about 35.8 acres, are currently in agricultural use.
BreakingNews.ie
06-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Over 30 arrested on outstanding warrants by gardaí in Askeaton
More than 30 people were arrested by gardaí on Tuesday as part of a major multi-agency crackdown on outstanding warrants in Askeaton, Co Limerick. Those arrested for various alleged offences were bailed and remanded to appear in court at later dates. Advertisement The 'day of action' involved many arms of the State's authorities, including local gardaí, armed Garda units, Garda Roads Policing Unit. Revenue Customs Officers, Road Safety Authority, Limerick City and County Council Dog Warden Service, and the Department of Social Protection. Firearms checks, road traffic checkpoints, as well as strategic patrols, were conducted in the west Co Limerick town throughout the day. Gardaí attended at a number of residential homes in the town as part of the operation, in what was the fifth successive day of action across the Limerick County Garda Community Engagement Area, following similar operations in Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, Rathkeale, and Kilmallock over the last few months. Gardaí said their goal was to respond to the needs of communities in tackling varying issues such as anti-social behaviour, road safety, and compliance with various legislation. The 'days of action' are well-planned in advance and require plentiful resources and logistics, as well as the cooperation of the Courts Services to deal specifically with a large number of warrants at short notice.
