Republican link to pipe bomb investigated

Gardai are investigating the possibility that dissident Republicans were involved in the planting of a pipe bomb in the city centre earlier today.

A controlled explosion was carried out on a device discovered inside the railings of the National Gallery on Merrion Square in Dublin city centre.

Army bomb disposal teams investigate a suspect device left on Merrion Square, close to the Dail.

The find, close to Dáil Eireann, followed a phone call to the Samaritans early this morning in which a recognised code word was used.

Though it has not been revealed as to who made the phone call, Gardai are considering the possibility that republicans, opposed to the peace process, were involved.

A security source confrimed: "We are investigating the possibility that hard-line republicans could have planted the bomb."

Sinn Fein TD Mr Aengus O'Snodaigh this afternoon condemned the attack by saying: "Anybody who does anything like that is playing int the hands of the British."The device was inspected by Army bomb disposal staff and a controlled explosion was carried out at 8.50 a.m, with remaining fragments being taken away for forensic examination.

The alert comes just hours before the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, is due in Dublin to meet Mr Ahern about the Northern peace process. Security for Mr Blair's visit is expected to be increased.

The Merrion Square area remained cordoned off for some time after the operation while a search was carried out for any other devices.

Yesterday, dissident republicans left a bomb outside a British government building in Belfast city centre.