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LAST UPDATE | 8 mins ago

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said an investigation into a Russian-owned plant in Co Limerick has not found definitive evidence the alumina produced there is going to weapons manufacturers in Russia.

Martin was speaking alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy after giving a speech in the capital, Kyiv.

He said the investigation was “almost complete” and the results would be shared with the European Commission.

“The investigation has not found concrete or definitive evidence linking the alumina to a weapons manufacturer in Russia,” he said at a joint press conference at the Mariinskyi Palace.

“That said, neither has it found definitive evidence that alumina may not be going to weapons manufacturers, so it’s difficult.

“So what we’re going to do now is we’re going to share the investigation with the European Commission, because this is both an Irish issue and a European issue in terms of alumina.”

Zelenskyy and the Taoiseach last met when the Ukrainian president was in Dublin for the launch of Ireland’s EU presidency on 1 July.

That meeting was dominated by questions about the investigation into the exports from the Aughinish Alumina plant.

The Limerick-based plant is Europe’s largest supplier of alumina and has a Russian parent company.

During his latest visit to Ireland, Zelenskyy said he was “really interested in the results of this investigation”.

Also today, Martin announced that Ireland will provide Ukraine with €125 million of support.

Martin’s speech followed a meeting with Zelenskyy, during which the two leaders discussed the EU’s ongoing support for Ukraine and the country’s ambition to become a member state.

The meeting came after a deadly intensification in Russian strikes on Ukraine, which saw the country hit by four missiles of various types and 216 long-range strike drones overnight, Tuesday into Wednesday this week.

Martin said that €100 million of the funding announced today “will be directed towards meeting Ukraine’s defence needs”.

“This non-lethal military assistance builds on Irish support provided last year towards strengthening Ukraine’s air defences to defend against Russia’s brutal drone attacks,” he said.

The remaining €25 million will go towards supporting the protection and restoration of Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, he said.

“Last winter was exceptionally difficult for the people of Ukraine and it is important that we help ensure Ukraine is well prepared for the winter ahead,” Martin said.

The Taoiseach also addressed Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union, saying supporting Ukrainian accession would be a “central focus” during Ireland’s EU presidency.

The people of Ukraine, Martin said, “have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to achieving EU membership”.

“To meet this ambition, Ukraine’s government and parliament is working to implement the necessary reforms, even in the face of inconceivable challenges. This is highly commendable.”

Martin is also set to visit the Ukrainian parliament to meet with its speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and he will meet with newly appointed prime minister, Serhii Koretskyi.

Martin also met members of the Irish community in Kyiv and heard stories from locals whose homes were damaged during Russian strikes.

Martin heard from people in Lukianivska, a residential area with a tram route travelling through it that has been repeatedly hit by drone and missile strikes.

Two serious attacks took place near the metro station in May – the biggest attack at that

Liudmyla Vladyna said the night her apartment was hit was “one of the worst nights of my life”.

She said: “At 2am, two loud explosions, windows were blown out, balconies fall away, we hid in the bathroom.

“We survived, the children were not with us thankfully. In the morning it was horrible, my blood pressure skyrocketed, my heart was pounding like crazy.”

Oleh Kutz said he was “in despair” when he went to see how his home was affected.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he said as he praised the work of the United Nations refugee agency the UNHCR.

Martin said it was reassuring to hear about the help of international organisations.

“Ireland has had a longstanding relationship with UNHCR, and we will continue to support UNHCR. We will also continue to support organisations in Ukraine through our bilateral humanitarian supports and funding,” he said.

“We remain horrified at the appalling attacks on civilians in Ukraine and in Kyiv. It’s very difficult for human beings to comprehend why a country or why a leader would authorise the bombing of civilian infrastructure and the killing of civilians when they’re asleep at night in their homes and in their apartments.

“It is shocking and it’s important that I come and witness the experiences that you have had and many, many others that have been articulated to me by the organisations.

“We appeal to President Putin, we say to all concerned, stop the war, and let’s have a ceasefire and let’s have it now.

“People should not have to suffer like this.”

He shook hands with locals and workers, and offered to buy a Guinness for the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Andrii Tkachov.

*With reporting from David Mac Redmond and Press Association *

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