Investigation reveals links between raw materials from Limerick and Russian weapon manufacturers

Their research found that the Aughinish Alumina plant near Foynes, supplies vast amounts of raw materials to Russian aluminium smelters.

Key findings by the investigative team include that the smelters supply aluminium to a Moscow-based trading company which in turn supplies Russia’s military industry. The aluminium is purchased by dozens of arms companies that make weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine, including tanks, cruise missiles and bombers.

Both Aughinish Alumina and the Russian smelters are owned by Rusal, who took over Aughinish Alumina in 2007. 

While the financial records, which were investigated did not reveal any definite links between Irish-made alumina and Russian weapons, the research did find that Russian smelters supplied by the Limerick plant are selling vast amounts of aluminium to a trading company that supplies dozens of Russian arms manufacturers.

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Aluminium is also used in aircraft and car manufacturing and twice a day, ships dock in Foynes Port to export huge amounts of alumina from Limerick to Europe. 

In response to the research, Fianna Fáil Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins TD said: “It is important to emphasise that Aughinish Alumina is not the subject of EU sanctions, nor has it been proposed to be. 

“Alumina is not a sanctioned good, therefore its export to other countries, including Russia, is not restricted. 

“Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal aggression, particularly in the context of shifting global supply chains and procurement networks. We will continue to work closely with our EU partners in doing so.”

During a Dáil debate four years ago in 2022, Fine Gael's minister Patrick O’Donovan said that Aughinish Alumina is “not connected, as some people might want to suggest, to any sort of Russian empire” and that it is “not in any way connected to a war machine.”

According to the Irish Times: “Aughinish also sells substantial amounts of alumina to other countries, but since the war, Russia has become by far its biggest customer. 

“In 2020, Russia accounted for 23 per cent of the Limerick plant’s business. Last year that figure was 68 per cent, according to the CSO.”

While many EU states have reduced their exports to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, Ireland is one of three exceptions. 

According to the investigation: “Exports of all Irish goods to Russia jumped from €539 million in 2021 to a record €836 million last year, according to figures provided by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

“The demand for Irish alumina increased in recent years despite Russia’s stagnating civilian economy. This is driven in part by Rusal losing access to its alumina plant in Ukraine, which is located near the war’s front line.”

The factory in Foynes is the largest alumina refinery in Europe and they employ more than 400 people. 

The vast research project relied on confidential documents, customs information, transport records, satellite images and financial records.