Taoiseach rejects call to close Aughinish Alumina refinery

Ukrainian ambassador urges closure of Limerick plant owned by Russian oligarch with ties to Putin

Aughinish Alumina plant, near Askeaton, Co Limerick: the alumina refinery is owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Picture: Liam Burke Press 22

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rejected a private call from the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland to shut down the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina refinery.

The giant plant in west Limerick is owned by Oleg Deripaska, the billionaire Russian oligarch who has previously been a frequent companion of Vladimir Putin on the Russian leader’s trips abroad.

At the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last week, Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland, sought the backing of its TDs ...