PIPE BOMB:AN ARMY bomb disposal team was called to Limerick yesterday after a pipe bomb was found in a housing estate in the city.
A number of homes were evacuated for several hours after the explosive device was discovered in Cliona Park in Moyross at about 10am. The pipe bomb was found in the rear garden of a vacant house in the northside estate.
Army bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene from Cork at about 3pm and the suspect device was removed for destruction.
A controlled explosion was carried out at a secure location nearby and the scene was declared safe at 5pm. A quantity of drugs was also found during yesterday’s planned search operation in Moyross.
The operation involved detectives and gardaí from Mayorstone Garda station, backed up the divisional search team.
It was part of the ongoing crackdown on criminal activity on the northside of Limerick city.
Detectives were last night examining the remains of the pipe bomb in an effort to determine its origin. Criminal gangs involved in ongoing feuding in Limerick city have used devices similar to the one found yesterday.
Supt Frank O’Brien, of Henry Street Garda station, said the indiscriminate use of such devices puts innocent lives at risk.
“We are delighted when our activities result in the discovery of any type of lethal weapon of any degree that has been secreted away for the purpose of inflicting death and destruction on people,” said Supt O’Brien.
“There is a level of recklessness about people who deploy those type of weapons because they are most unstable . . . They present a serious risk both to the people that handle them and also to the intended targets and, of course, the innocent bystanders and children,” he added.
In a statement issued yesterday, an Army spokesman confirmed the pipe bomb was a viable device.
“The Army bomb disposal team arrived on scene at 3pm and determined the device to be a viable improvised explosive device (IED),” read the statement.
“The device was removed to a safe location by the team where a controlled explosion was carried out in order to make the device safe. The scene was declared safe at 5pm and the remains of the device were handed over to the Garda for their investigations,” it continued.
Anyone with information about yesterday’s pipe bomb discovery is asked to contact Mayorstone Garda station in Limerick at 061-456 980.