Gardaí have launched an investigation into an incident in Co Kildare being linked to the fatal radiation poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The investigation was launched after confirmation today that former acting Russian prime minister Yegor Gaidar (50), who fell ill on a visit to Ireland at the weekend, is suffering from poisoning.
Garda statement
Mr Gaidar, a leading Russian reformist, collapsed at the national University of Ireland (NUI) in Maynooth on Saturday, suffering from what his daughter Maria described as a "mystery illness".
Mr Gaidar was brought to James Connolly memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown with symptoms including loss of consciousness and nose bleeds.
He was discharged after three hours but after his return to Russia he was readmitted to hospital.
He is said to be in a stable condition and his doctors today said there was no natural cause for his ailment.
A spokesman for Mr Gaidar said: "They think it is a substance they cannot so far identify - it is not a natural poisoning".
Mr Litvinenko died after a two-week illness caused by Polonium 210 poisoning. He claimed in a death-bed letter that he was deliberately poisoned and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement.
Traces of radioactivity have been detected at a dozen sites Mr Litvinenko visited around London and on three British Airways planes serving Moscow. The planes have been grounded and some 33,000 passengers are being contacted by the airline as a precaution. British authorities say the risk to public health is low.
Yegor Gaidar
A Russian plane was later grounded after traces of radiation were detected.
The Greens and the Labour Party called for a Garda investigation and said locations in Ireland visited by Mr Gaidar should be tested for radiation levels.
The Garda issued a statement this evening saying the Special Detective Unit are investigating. "Inquiries to date have been conducted with hospital and medical staff and through the diplomatic corps.
"Tracing the movements of the subject and establishing the facts is the focus of Garda enquiries.
"Public health and safety is of paramount importance and there is nothing known which indicates that any member of the public is at risk. If this situation changes, appropriate action will be taken," the statement said.
The Labour Party's Mary Upton today tabled a Dáil question to the Minister for Health calling for tests for radioactivity and other toxins at the locations visited by Mr Gaidar.
Management at James Connolly Memorial has notified the Health Service Executive (HSE) over the possible scare.
An RPII spokesman said the institute had not been asked to investigate. "However, we are keeping a watching brief and we are in contact with the HSE, the Deaprtment of Foreign Affairs and our counterparts in Britain in the Health Protection Agency," a spokesman said.
The head of Russia's electricity supplier, Anatoly Chubais, a close former colleague of Mr Gaidar, said he believed there was a link between Mr Gaidar's condition, the death of Mr Litvinenko, and the murder of eminent Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskya.
He believed the incidents could be of benefit to wealthy interests but also could be used to discredit Mr Putin.
The Russian premier telephoned Mr Gaidar in hospital today to wish him a speedy recovery. The former acting prime minister is regarded as chief architect of Russia's market reforms under Boris Yeltsin and now heads an academic think-tank.
He and his daughter have a profile in Russia as liberal reformers and have in the past criticised Mr Putin.