A CONTROLLED explosion was carried out at a Co Limerick secondary school yesterday after an unstable chemical was discovered during a routine safety audit.
Some 400 students and staff were evacuated from Coláiste Iosaef in Kilmallock shortly after 10am when a science teacher noticed that a chemical commonly used in school laboratories and universities had crystallised. Dinitrophenylhydrazine is a chemical reagent which is normally safe. However, when it crystallises and destabilises, it becomes sensitive to heat or friction.
“Once this was brought to my attention I initiated our safety protocols, and we evacuated all students and teachers from the main school building. We then took advice from Co Limerick VEC and as a result took professional guidance from Veolia environmental services as to how to safely dispose of the chemical,” said school principal Seán Twomey.
“They informed us that the routine procedure was to contact the Army bomb disposal services. To this end we contacted the emergency services, and all students were sent home for the remainder of the day. A number of hours later the Army services disposed of the substance in a safe and controlled manner.”
The Army bomb disposal team arrived at 1.15pm, and the chemicals were removed to a safe location where they were made safe through a controlled explosion. The scene was declared safe at 2.15pm.
This was the 167th call-out for the Army bomb disposal team so far this year and the 17th substance of concern dealt with, according to a spokesman.
“I’d like to thank both Co Limerick VEC and Veolia for their support and advice, and to pay tribute to the Garda, fire and Army services for their assistance.
“I also want to commend our staff and students on the calm and composed manner everything was dealt with during the morning,” Mr Twomey said.
Staff and students will return to school as normal today.