The Army is today investigating a suspect device found under a car in west Dublin.
A passer-by noticed a fire under the vehicle in Lindisfarne Vale, Clondalkin, last night shortly before midnight and raised the alarm.
Gardaí at Clondalkin were called to the scene. The Army Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit was called in, and the device was removed for further examination.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said the bomb disposal unit was called at 4.20am. "It turned out to be a viable device that had failed to go off," he said.
The device, believed to be a small incendiary device, had been primed and set to explode.
It was removed to Cathal Brugha barracks where it will be dismantled and examined. Any evidence will be handed over to the gardaí.
A number of houses were evacuated, and the all-clear was given shortly before 6am.