Russian drone stamped 'Made in Ireland' investigated, 19 July 2023

The Irish government is investigating reports that a Russian drone shot down in Ukraine was built using parts made in Ireland, the taoiseach (Irish PM) has said.

Leo Varadkar was speaking after meeting President Zelensky in Ukraine during an unannounced visit to the country.

The discovery was being taken "very seriously", Mr Varadkar added.

However, he said the government did not believe any Irish companies had evaded sanctions.

Asked by a Ukrainian journalist about the part, found in an Iranian-made Shahed drone and marked 'Made in Ireland', Mr Varadkar said it was possible for third parties to find a way around an EU ban on drone components being sold to Russia.

The component, a carburettor which supplies engines with a mixture of fuel and air, was labelled as being made by American company Tillotson, which operates a factory in County Kerry, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported...