BREAKING: 'Viable bomb' at Russian-owned Limerick site treated as potential war revenge attack

A SUSPECT device found at Aughinish Alumina on Friday was a “viable bomb”, Limerick Live has learned.

The planned attack is being treated as a “serious threat to human life”. 

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A garda spokesperson said gardaí were alerted following the discovery of a suspect device at a premises near Foynes, County Limerick on Friday, July 4 at approximately 3.30pm.

“A cordon was established and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended the scene. 

“The EOD team examined the suspect device which has now been removed from the scene for further examination,” said the garda spokesperson. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service personnel also responded.

A technical examination of the scene was being carried out this Saturday morning.

“Investigations are ongoing,” said a garda spokesperson.

Limerick Live has been informed that the incident occurred in the vicinity of the Aughnish Alumina’s sports and social club. It is located on the way into the 1,300 acre industrial plant but is not within the security perimeter. It is a popular location for walkers to park up and go for a stroll on a nature trail along the south bank of the Shannon Estuary.

It is understood that a number of males strapped two canisters to a fuel tank which services the sports and social club. It is believed that a timing mechanism or a battery was also attached. It has been described to Limerick Live as a “viable bomb”.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said bomb experts from the EOD team responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Síochána, in relation to a suspect device in the area of Askeaton.

"Following an assessment, the EOD team confirmed the device was viable. It was rendered safe. The EOD Team then handed the scene over to gardai. The operation has now concluded. The time on scene was 18.58 on Friday, July 4 and the time off scene was 01.04 on the morning of Saturday, July 5," said a Defence Forces spokesperson.

The incident is being treated as a “serious threat to human life” due to its proximity to Aughinish Alumina staff members and members of the public.

A security cordon of some 350 metres was put in place. This resulted in around 100 employees not being able to leave until around midnight - hours after their shift concluded. Similarly, those due to start working the night shift were not able to commence their duties.

Gardai have commenced an investigation and CCTV is being harvested. One strand of their enquiries is if the attack is connected to the Russia-Ukraine war as Alumina Aughinish is owned by the Russian company Rusal.

Waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Ukraine capital Kyiv overnight on Thursday night and Friday morning in the largest aerial attack since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, injuring 23 people and inflicting severe damage across multiple districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught.

The plant has been vandalised in recent years, including a paint attack at the entrance in 2022 which was investigated by gardai.

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Aughinish - the largest alumina refinery in Europe - produces approximately 1.9 million tonnes per annum of product that is the primary raw material for the production of aluminium. 

It is a major employer in the west Limerick with upwards of 400 staff members.

Aughinish Alumina has been contacted for comment.