Controlled blast at RTE on suspect package

Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect package found near RTÉ's main transmission tower in Dublin early this morning.

It is believed to have been planted by a loyalist group.

Staff were evacuated around midnight from the Donnybrook premises after a telephone warning received in Belfast was passed on to the gardaí by the RUC.

A recognised code word was used in the warning which said two bombs had been planted at the complex.

Army experts were called in and a controlled explosion was carried out at 2.30.

RTÉ Director General, Mr Bob Collins, said investigations this morning had shown there were no explosives in the package.

He added that while security was a concern for the broadcaster, its 35 acre site was difficult to police and added that a public service broadcaster should be accessible to the public.