Former RTÉ journalist uncovers ‘180 sticks’ of explosives on his Cork farm

A Defence Forces bomb squad had to be called to the scene to conduct 'controlled explosions'.

A former RTÉ journalist made a startling discovery on his Cork farm this week that led to an army bomb squad being called to the scene. Earlier in the year, Fergal Keane announced that after nearly three decades reporting for RTÉ Radio, he was leaving the broadcaster to pursue other interests, one of which was to be "a part time farmer". However, while doing renovation work on an old shed on his farm in Baltimore in west Cork, he uncovered "180 sticks" of explosives. In a Twitter post on Thursday evening (5 October), which includes images of the find, the broadcaster wrote: "So renovating an old shed on the farm in W Cork and found this - it’s gelignite - lots of it. "Bomb squad have arrived...It’s War of independence era."

So renovating an old shed on the farm in W Cork and found this - it’s gelignite - lots of it. Bomb squad have arrived. Earlier tweet with pic of DF personnel deleted at DF request. It’s War of independence era pic.twitter.com/TqcSYicRGU

— Fergal Keane (@fergalrte) October 5, 2023

In a later follow up post, Keane added: "Turns out there were 180 sticks of gelignite disposed of in three very large explosions by the ordinance disposal unit of the DF. Thanks to them."

Turns out there were 180 sticks of Gelignite disposed of in three very large explosions by the ordinance disposal unit of the DF Thanks to them https://t.co/0BFwRlQ0lU pic.twitter.com/cZ5jvbme5Y

— Fergal Keane (@fergalrte) October 5, 2023

Former RTÉ journalist uncovers '180 sticks' of explosives on his Cork farm

In a statement to JOE, a Defence Forces spokesperson explained: "Yesterday a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts from the Defence Forces were tasked to Baltimore in response to a request from a member of the public, through An Garda Síochána. "A cordon was established to isolate the area and allow for a thorough forensic examination of the suspected explosives to be carried out. "The discovery was assessed as being a collection of historical munitions, and three controlled demolitions were carried out by the Defence Forces on scene. "All munitions have been disposed of and the cordon is now closed with the area being open to members of the public once again." Keane even posted clips of the controlled explosions on Twitter, one of which you can watch right here:

Fire in the hole!!! Controlled explosion 4 disposing of our Gelignite in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/arSAxiUcnO

— Fergal Keane (@fergalrte) October 6, 2023

Main image via Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie and Twitter/FergalRte Read more:

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