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22nd Mar 2019

Suspect package in Limerick “identical” to ‘IRA’ parcels discovered in London and Glasgow, say Gardaí

Conor Heneghan

Wicklow crash

A sorting office for An Post in Limerick was evacuated on Friday morning.

Gardaí say that a suspect parcel discovered in an An Post sorting office in Limerick appears to be “identical” (pending closer forensic and ballistic examination) to parcels discovered in London and Glasgow earlier this month.

An Garda Síochána are currently investigating a parcel of interest identified at the Limerick An Post sorting office shortly after 6am on Friday morning.

The sorting office has been evacuated and the Army EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team are currently at the scene.

Earlier this month, Met Police confirmed that a group calling itself the ‘IRA’ claimed responsibility for a number of explosive devices left at locations in London and Glasgow.

A4-sized white postal bags containing an improvised explosive device were left at Waterloo Station, Heathrow and London City Airport on Tuesday 5 March.

The devices were capable of igniting a small fire when opened, police said.

On 6 March, a similar device was discovered at Glasgow University.

Buildings were evacuated and counter-terror police were called to the scene in each instance, with no injuries during the disposal of the devices.

The claim allegedly made by the ‘IRA’ was received on Monday 11 March by a media outlet in Northern Ireland outlet using a recognised codeword.

An Garda Síochána continue to liaise with the UK Authorities in relation to these investigations.

A spokesperson for An Post confirmed to JOE on Friday, meanwhile, that there will be disruptions to the mail service in Limerick region as a result of the security alert.

An Post hopes to resume normal operations in the Limerick region as soon as possible, but will be guided by the Gardaí and the army EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team before doing so.

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