Pipebomb found in park just 500m from garda station.
Ken Foy Crime correspondent – 12 February 2013 03:15 PM
A PIPEbomb discovered in a Dublin park last night was less than 500 metres from a garda station.
The viable device was found at a park near Rossmore Road in Ballyfermot at around 5.30pm which led to officers calling in the army bomb disposal unit.
Sources say that the pipe bomb had been left in the park by a criminal gang for collection later.
A Defence Forces spokesperson said: "The Defence Forces deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team in response to a request from the gardai after the suspect device was found in a green area near the Rossmore Road.
Controlled
"The team arrived on the scene at 5.30pm and a cordon was put in place around the scene for public safety.
"The suspect device was rendered safe in situ without the need for a controlled explosion and was then moved to a secure military location for further technical examination and testing.
"The scene was declared safe at 6.15 pm. The device has now been confirmed as a viable IED following further testing and it's component parts will be handed over to the gardai to assist in their investigation into the incident."
Meanwhile, gardai from Ballyfermot were investigating a suspected arson attack on a car which is understood to have happened in the early hours.
The car was completely gutted in the blaze with a number of officers attending the scene at around 8am. A distressed woman in pyjamas was observed in conversation with gardai.
A source said: "There is absolutely nothing at this stage to suggest that there is any link between the two incidents."
Separately, tensions have been high in the Ballyfermot area since local teenager Luke Wilson was shot at point blank range in an Inchicore park last month.
Last night, gardai re-arrested a man who was previously questioned about the gun attack and he is being held today in Kilmainham Garda Station.
Gardai believe Luke was targeted after a pub row with a gang of his former friends who branded his uncle John Wilson, who was shot dead last year, a "rat".
A number of people have been arrested as part of the detailed investigation including a 35-year-old career criminal from Ballyfermot and a 23-year-old woman from Clondalkin, who were arrested on suspicion of withholding information.
Sources said that the Rossmore Road incidents are not linked to the shooting which led to Mr Wilson losing an eye.
