A number of houses in Co Limerick were evacuated today following the discovery of two viable pipe bombs, which gardai believe were destined for use “in the near future”.
The bombs, believed to be the property of a Limerick crimninal gang, were discovered shortly before midday yesterday in a ditch near a derelict house in the Rathuard area of Ballysheedy, on the outskirts of the city.
Both pipe bombs were wrapped in plastic, in good condition, and ready for use according to gardaí.
Detectives believe the devices were recently assembled and had been placed in the area for collection soon.
“They were destined to be used in the near future,” said one source.
The pipe bombs were discovered as gardai were carrying out searches in the area as part of ongoing investigations into organised crime on the south side of Limerick city.
Army bomb disposal experts from Cork carried out a controlled explosion on one of the devices shortly before 5pm today, The second device was taken away intact for forensic analysis, which could help gardaí determine who and where it was assembled.
Detectives confirmed that both devices were packed with explosive material and shrapnel including nails.
An area around the old two-storey house that has been deserted for a number years was sealed off and the main Fedamore road was closed to traffic for a number of hours today.
Residents from about six houses in the area were evacuated following the discovery of the bombs.
The army’s remote control robot was deployed before the controlled explosion was carried out.
This is the second discovery of pipe bombs in the south side of Limerick in recent months.
Two controlled explosions were carried out by the Army Bomb Disposal Unit in Glasgow Park in Limerick last January, following the discovery of four pipe bombs in the estate.
At the time dissident Republican group the Continuity IRA claimed “criminal gangs” in Limerick were responsible for manufacturing the pipebombs and selling them to members of Limerick’s feuding factions.