Tests show no trace of radioactive material at Maynooth

RADIOACTIVITY tests at the college where a former Russian prime minister fell ill, and from the hospital that treated him, proved negative, it emerged last night.

Experts from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) tested NUI Maynooth and James Connolly Memorial Hospital in west Dublin for traces of Polonium-210 yesterday afternoon but found no trace of contamination.

The tests were carried out as part of a garda probe into the suspected poisoning of the former Russian primeminister, Yegor Gaidar, who collapsed while attending a conference at the college on November 24.

Polonium-210 has been blamed for the death of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The tests at the college, which involved experts taking a series of surface swabs from all the rooms visited by Gaidar, confirmed the results of earlier tests carried out by the NUI’s university radiological protection officer, which also proved negative.

NUI spokesman Colm Keane said: “Our tests were absolutely conclusive. We were in the bedroom he slept in and there was no evidence of it.”

The RPII forwarded the results of its tests to the gardaí and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and declined to comment further.

The RPII also took samples from James Connolly Memorial Hospital where Mr Gaidar was treated after collapsing at the college

The HSE said the A&E unit had been checked as a precaution.

It is understood swabs were taken from several areas within the casualty ward.

A HSE spokeswoman added that staff were not being advised to take any additional precautions as the results were awaited. They came back negative last night.

Gardaí launched a high -level investigation on Thursday to trace all areas visited by Mr Gaidar.

They were also due to interview everyone who had come into contact with the politician.

Mr Gaidar collapsed with nose bleeds and vomiting while attending a conference at the college last Friday evening.

However, it is understood he had complained of feeling unwell as he travelled to Ireland the previous day.

After treatment in the Dublin hospital, he travelled to Moscow where his daughter has since alleged that her father was poisoned.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday that he didn’t think there was any need for concerns of any radiological threat or any public health threat because Mr Gaidar complained of being ill before arriving in Ireland.