Bomb explodes in Cork last night

It might sound like a scene from The Hurt Locker but no, this actually happened in Cork of all places.

RTE reports that 100 homes had to be evacuated in Cork city last night after a bomb was discovered under a car in a house estate. Scary stuff.  It turns out that even the people’s republic of Cork isn’t safe from nutcases who like to shove bombs under cars.

Authorities were called to Mervue Lawn in the Ballyvolane area of the city at around 10 o’clock last night, after an eagle-eyed neighbour noticed a man acting suspiciously around a car that was parked on the street in a cul de sac.

The gardaí were alerted and when they realised what they were up against, they promptly requested assistance from an army bomb disposal team.

All the residents of the area were evacuated for four hours as the army worked to render the bomb safe. Several hundred residents were put up in the local church until they were given the all-clear to return to their homes.

The plan to disarm the bomb was running smoothly until the device detonated while the bomb disposal team leader was lying alongside the car trying to reach it. He was brought to Cork University Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Aside from this, there were no other casualties.

The scene was declared safe at 2am and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Gardaí are planning on conducting a technical examination of the area later this morning.

According to reports, gardaí have arrested a 34 year old man for questioning. He is currently being detained at Mayfield garda station in Cork City.

Bombs in Cork – what is the world coming to?