A suspect device was discovered in a car in Clonsilla, Dublin yesterday afternoon.
Gardaí were called to Ravenswood Road, Clonsilla following a report that there had been criminal damage to a car.
When they arrived, they discovered the suspect device, which looked like a pipe bomb, in the car.
People in nearby houses on the road were evacuated and the Army bomb disposal unit was called.
A controlled explosion was carried out on the device. The incident lasted for about three hours. Local people were allowed back into their houses after the explosion.
A Garda press office spokeswoman said the car had been taken to Blanchardstown Garda station for a forensic examination.
She said the examination would determine what the device was and if it was an explosive.