The bomb squad dealt with the issue promptly. This is wild.
The Gardaí have confirmed that a Civil War era grenade was located and detonated in Clontarf, Dublin.
A statement from An Garda Síochána reads: “A resident alerted Gardaí to what they believed to have been a grenade, discovered after works were being done in an area off a laneway near Dunluce Road, Clontarf. The EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team attended and the scene was sealed off. Residents were evacuated while the EOD safely disposed of this device which was viable, on site.”
The Gardaí said that the explosive “appears to be historical. A Civil War era grenade was identified by EOD”.
The grenade was brought to the Gardaí’s attention by Ian Tighe, a resident of the area.
Speaking with JOE, Mr. Tighe said that: “The circumstances of finding it were kind of weird in that I didn’t actually find it. I was over doing some gardening with my partner and the next door neighbour called me from the back lane. He pointed out the grenade, said he had found it yesterday and didn’t want to do anything about because it was on ‘our property’.
Mr Tighe adds that: “It’s one of those communal lanes in Clontarf that are now gated off with all the neighbours having a key. I phoned the guards straight away, thinking they’d be like ‘Great, another toy grenade, we’ll send someone out, they should be there by October.’ However, ten minutes later, there are three cars, maybe eight guards, and one armed response guy.
“About ten minutes after that, there’s a solo bomb disposal guy. He tells us they’re sending the robot. Half an hour later, the big truck arrives and they cordon off the area and have everyone from the six closest houses evacuate. I may have missed this instruction to my failing hearing, or something.”
You can view the footage below.
Grenade outside my mother in law’s. Situation unfolding. pic.twitter.com/aC2doPVFwg
— Ian Tighe (@IanSpins) June 22, 2019
This is an illegal video. pic.twitter.com/zSTkRPaQE3
— Ian Tighe (@IanSpins) June 22, 2019
Update: A fellow resident in the area also provided their account of events. Speaking with JOE, they said: “I found the grenade in my lane and to be correct, I instructed Ian next door to call the Garda while I opened the access gate for them and waited outside for them to arrive.
“I brought them through my house and gave them every assistance. I also provided a statement of when and how I found the device. I was very concerned about the grenade since I actually found it and only suggested that Ian ring as it was outside his garden. If he didn’t call I would have of course.”
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