Hand grenades and pipe bomb devices have recently featured in seven different disputes, writes Conor Lally, Crime Correspondent
Gardaí believe the device used in Crumlin on Thursday and that used in an attack in the Coombe area of Dublin on Tuesday night were both fragmentation grenades, a military term for a traditional exploding grenade. They are far more dangerous than the pipe bombs that have become a feature of many attacks in recent months.
Although clear motives have emerged for most of the recent attacks, what is less certain is from where or whom the grenades and pipe bombs are being sourced.
Gardaí are becoming increasingly concerned that explosive devices are now in much greater circulation than ever before. They are now being used in the resolution of often relatively minor disputes. It is believed some of the pipe bombs have been made by criminals following instructions available on the internet.
The grenade used in Thursday night's attack originated in former Yugoslavia. However, senior Garda sources have conceded they are unsure when or how it entered the State. "It may be the case they're coming in with drugs shipments," said one source. "You could be almost certain that others are being built by or bought from former paramilitaries."
Gardaí investigating the use of a fragmentation grenade in the Coombe on Tuesday believe it was activated by a leading INLA member who was targeting Dublin criminals with whom he is in dispute.
On Monday a home-made pipe bomb was thrown from a passing car at two brothers as they were loading a van to go to work in Mulhuddart, west Dublin. The device was viable but failed to explode. The attack was part of a 10-year feud between families who were originally neighbours on the Navan Road.
Last weekend two pipe bombs were found in Tipperary and are believed to be linked to Limerick's feuding gangs.
On June 1st a crude home-made pipe bomb was found in Clondalkin. Gardaí believe it was planted under a car by a drug-dealing gang in an effort to intimidate another faction of young local men.
Last month a pipe bomb was thrown at the back of a house in Summerhill, Dublin 1, and exploded causing extensive damage to the property. That attack was part of a feud between local families after two young men from each family fell out over damage to a car. One man has already been shot dead as part of the dispute.
In April a pipe bomb was found under a car in Clare. Gardaí believe the device was left under the vehicle by men known to the intended victim. All of those involved are originally from Clondalkin and were at one time close associates until they become embroiled in a family-based dispute.
In the seventh case, at least two grenades have been used recently in a feud between criminal factions from the Sheriff Street area, also in Dublin 1. That feud began three years ago after a local criminal, Christy Griffin, was accused of raping his stepdaughter in a case which effectively split a large gang of local criminals. He has since been jailed for life for the rape.