Limerick town closed off as army bomb team deal with ‘suspicious device’

An explosive device which led to the evacuation of up to 20 homes in Rathkeale, Co Limerick on Wednesday has been made safe by an army bomb disposal team.

An improvised explosive device was discovered at a house on the town around 9am by a passer by, Garda sources said.

In a statement the Defence Forces said it deployed the Army bomb disposal team following a request from An Garda Siochana.

“The Bomb Disposal Team arrived on scene at 12:17pm. To ensure public safety, a number of houses and local businesses were evacuated and a cordon was put in place for the duration of the operation,” the statement said.

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“The device was removed to a secure military installation for further examination at 2:06pm. Any items of an evidential nature will be handed over to An Garda Siochana to assist them with their investigations.”

The statement also advised members of the public who encountered such devices to maintain a safe distance and inform An Garda Siochana.

Earlier part of the town was closed while the army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, deployed from Cork, examined the device.

Armed gardaí and local uniformed members in the town responded to the call shortly after 9am.

Gardaí requested the services of the EOD unit. A portion of the main street has closed off for a 300-400 yard stretch beyond the Amber Lantern pub to the bridge.

It was the second suspicious device to be found in Limerick in 48 hours. However, it is not known if the incidents were linked.

The EOD unit carried out a controlled explosion on a grenade at a house in Cathedral Court, Pennywell, in the city, between Monday night into Tuesday morning.