A bomb planted in Merrion Square, Dublin, and defused by the Army could have caused serious injury to a passer-by if it had exploded, said a Garda spokesman. Dissident republicans are believed to be responsible.
The device was found yesterday morning following a warning and made safe in a controlled explosion carried out by officers from the Army bomb disposal unit. It was about four inches in length and was packed with gunpowder. It also contained a number of shotgun cartridges.
An Army spokesman said such devices were relatively easy to make, and both sets of paramilitary organisations in the North had the technology to make them.
Garda sources said they were investigating the possibility that dissident republicans were planted the pipe-bomb.
The device was one of three reported planted around the city yesterday morning. A call was made to the Samaritans shortly before 7 a.m. by a man who said there were also bombs outside the British embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin, and outside the Department of Foreign Affairs in St Stephen's Green.
The call was reported to gardaí, who searched all three locations.
Nothing was found at the British embassy or the Department of Foreign Affairs.