Latest news with #AughinishAlumina
The Journal
07-07-2025
- The Journal
Man arrested after multiple attempted explosive devices placed in locations around country
A MAN HAS been arrested as part of an investigation into multiple attempted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed in various locations around the country. Gardaí arrested the man, who is in his 40s, yesterday evening in Co Monaghan. It follows the discovery of an 'unexplained device' near an Aughinish Alumina factory in County Limerick last week. The device was found close to an oil tank at the facility on Thursday and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit used controlled detonations to sever key components from gas cylinders. The controlled detonations were followed by a technical examination by gardaí and army experts. The Journal understands that the arrested man is suspected of targeting water infrastructure sites as well as Aughinish Alumina. Advertisement The type of IED in question involved two gas cylinders with a battery attached to one of the cylinders, which can be heated to trigger an explosion. The device is a method known to be used at times by under-resourced insurgents in war zones. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has also been involved in the investigation. Sources said that the items used in the bombs were sourced outside the Irish state. The arrested man is being detained at a garda station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. 'An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with our colleagues in the PSNI in relation to this investigation,' a garda statement said this afternoon. Additional reporting by Niall O'Connor Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
07-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Viable explosive device at Limerick plant rendered safe
The Defence Forces have confirmed that a device discovered at the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick was a viable explosive device. The Defence Forces Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team was called to assist An Garda Síochána, following the discovery of a "suspected device" in the area. They were working at the scene from just before 7pm on Friday until 1pm yesterday morning. Following an assessment, the EOD team confirmed the device was viable and it was rendered safe, the Defence Forces added.
Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí probe if Aughinish bomb linked to Russian attack on Ukraine
Gardaí are investigating if a 'viable' bomb found near a Russian-owned alumina refinery in Limerick last Friday had been a direct reaction to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. On Friday afternoon a bomb was discovered attached to a fuel tank that services the sports and social club building of the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina refinery. The refinery is located close to the Shannon Estuary towns of Foynes and Askeaton. A spokesman for the Irish Defence Forces confirmed that the bomb was 'viable', meaning it was capable of detonating and causing injuries or death. The bomb is believed to have included a battery-timed mechanism so that it could be detonated long after the perpetrators had left the area. Security cordon It is understood that up to 100 staff at the Rusal-owned Aughinish refinery were unable to leave the plant while a 350-metre security cordon was in place at the scene for several hours between Friday night and Saturday morning. A Garda spokeswoman said local gardaí were alerted to the scene after a suspect device was discovered at a premises near Foynes. Explosive Ordnance Disposal team 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 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 gardaí." The army EOD unit were on scene for a total of six hours. Security sources said CCTV will play a huge role in the ongoing investigation in attempting to discover who was behind the bomb threat. The area around and inside the alumina refinery plant is heavily populated with security cameras and gardaí hope to secure video footage that may assist them in tracking and apprehending those behind the bomb. 'Possibly a response to attack on Kyiv' A Garda spokeswoman confirmed on unday that the cordon on the scene had been lifted and the area was safe. The area where the bomb was found is located close to a publicly accessible nature walking trail. A source said investigating gardaí were examining one of many lines of enquiry, including the possibility that the bomb may have been a direct response to Russian missile attacks in Kyiv last Thursday night. While the Aughinish Alumina plant has no direct link to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, it is owned by Russian aluminium giant Rusal, and one of its significant shareholders is Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Aughinish Alumina, which employs 450 people at its Askeaton refinery, has been contacted for comment.
The Journal
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
An Bord Pleanála raised concerns over use of ChatGPT for inspector's report into Limerick plant
AN BORD PLEANÁLA removed one of its inspectors from deliberations on a controversial expansion of a large steel plant in Limerick following concerns that a report was being written with the help of ChatGPT. A spokesperson for the State body told The Journal that the report was scrapped 'out of an abundance of caution' as its board members felt the use of artificial intelligence (AI) had the potential to 'raise concerns about the integrity of the decision-making process' for the report into Aughinish Alumina, near Foynes on the Shannon Estuary. An Bord Pleanála also 'advised all staff that the use of unapproved technology was strictly prohibited' in the wake of the incident. The file was then re-assigned to a new inspector for fresh consideration, with the second inspector's report sent to a 'newly constituted' board to decide on. This board granted planning permission to expand Aughinish Alumina's waste storage at the site in March. It was the second time the development had come before An Bord Pleanála, with the High Court previously quashing its decision to expand the site following objections by environmental groups. However, the use of AI now forms part of a challenge by Limerick-based environmental group Environmental Trust Ireland in its bid to halt the expansion of the site. The Aughinish Alumina plant near Foynes Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A spokesperson for An Bord Pleanála told The Journal that it learned that the 'unapproved technology' was used for 'editing and formatting certain aspects' of a report after the employee reported their use of ChatGPT. In a lengthy statement, An Bord Pleanála said the incident 'raised the need to improve the policy' relating to the acceptable use of technology such as artificial intelligence. Access to AI software was also disabled on An Bord Pleanála systems in response to the discovery, the body's spokesperson said. 'The incident reaffirmed the need for bespoke GenAI technology specifically designed for the requirements of An Bord Pleanála,' the spokesperson added, pending the development of a digital strategy with guidelines for use of the advanced AI programmes. The spokesperson said that this work was already underway since the appointment of a new director of digital strategy last year. Major employer with Russian links A major employer in the mid-west, Aughinish Alumina employs 450 people on its 222-hectare site. The plant is owned by Russian metals company Rusal, which was co-founded by Oleg Deripaska. Deripaska, who is still a shareholder in Rusal, is an industrialist who is reported to have had close ties to Russia president Vladimir Putin. Advertisement In 2018, Deripaska was placed on a US sanctions list and the UK government also announced sanctions against the oligarch in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The businessman is well-connected in Russian politics and business, and was pictured earlier this month at the Kremlin in Moscow for a ceremony ahead of World War II commemorations. Rusal co-founder Oleg Deripaska addressing a meeting of the Bank of Russia's financial congress last year. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Aughinish Alumina has been looking to expand its disposal area for bauxite residue – an ore from aluminium, also known as 'red mud' due to its copper colouring. The site's expansion plans have been the subject of legal challenges over recent years, with the High Court quashing previous planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála. The amended planning application that received approval in March included findings from An Bord Pleanála stating that the development 'would not have significant negative effects on the environment' if given the go-ahead. This permission has now been challenged by two environmental groups – Environmental Trust Ireland and Futureproof Clare – in separate judicial reviews lodged this week. Environmental Trust Ireland, which is represented by Limerick firm Hayes Solicitors, has taken a case which it is understood is partly based on the alleged concerns raised internally within An Bord Pleanála. In the planning authority's board minutes from last October for the Aughinish refinery's expansion – seen by The Journal – it records that it was 'brought to the Board's attention that certain parts of the Inspector's report may have been written following interaction with an external technology system', later referring to ChatGPT. However, it is understood that Environmental Trust Ireland is challenging whether the inspector remained involved in the process after the AI use was flagged, referring to later minutes for An Bord Pleanála's March meeting to discuss the refinery's expansion. While the inspector was listed in later minutes, An Bord Pleanála has stressed to The Journal that the individual was not involved in the case after November 2024. It is understood that an admin error may have resulted in the confusion. Environmental claims The judicial review taken by Environmental Trust Ireland is one of two filed this week against the expansion of the refinery's disposal area the red mud waste. A group called Futureproof Clare has taken the other, separate case. It is represented by FP Logue solicitors and The Journal understands its arguments are based around the environmental impact of the expansion. The plant has capacity at its bauxite residue disposal area (BRDA) until 2030 and the new extension will extend the lifetime of the BRDA up to 2039. The proposed development would increase the height of sections of the disposal area by 12 metres. It would bring the total height to 44 metres. The company has maintained that it can't continue production unless its waste facility is expanded. Aughinish Alumina did not respond when contacted for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
