A suspected Russian spy who has been deemed a threat to national security in Australia previously worked in Leinster House.

Marina Sologub, 39, who was born in Kazakhstan and grew up in Cork, has been ordered to leave Australia by the country's Security Intelligence Organisation, the Sunday Times reports.

In 2020, Ms Sologub got a job in Australia's space agency after gaining experience in the National Space Centre in Cork, where she is said to have been involved in projects linked to the American and Russian space agencies.

The security agency in Australia had conducted an operation that aimed to identify Russian intelligence workers among high-ranking employees, through which Ms Sologub was determined to be a risk.

She allegedly tried to cultivate contacts with Australian officials, including staff at the national space agency.

Work in Leinster House

Ms Sologub spent her teenage years in Glanmire, before studying politics and governance at University College Cork.

She then found work at constituency offices of TDs, granting her access to Leinster House.

She worked for Bernard Allen, former Fine Gael TD and then-chairman of the public accounts committee, as well as for Labour Party TD Willie Penrose at his office in Westmeath.

Mr Allen told the Sunday Times that he was 'gobsmacked' to hear of the allegations against Ms Sologub, having known her since she was a student seeking work experience.

Her experience working with Mr Allen and her fluent Russian helped secure her the job in Australia.

She is said to have had 'extensive interactions with diplomatic staff from the Russian embassy' while working at the centre in Adelaide.