Pipebomb under car blown up by Army

Ken Foy, Crime correspondent

AN ARMY bomb disposal team carried out two controlled explosions on a sophisticated pipebomb which was discovered under a car in a south Dublin housing estate early today.

The emergency services were alerted just after midnight to the viable device which was found wrapped in a plastic bag under the back wheel of a parked car at the Carrigwood estate in Firhouse.

Officers arrived at 1.10am and the scene was finally declared safe at around 3am.

Motive

During that time two controlled explosions were carried out on the device which contained fireworks, nuts and screws. "This bomb could have caused very serious damage. We have no motive," said a source.

The incident came 48 hours after gardai found four viable pipe bombs in a satchel in a stolen car parked in Harold's Cross.

The discovery of these bombs is being linked to 'Fat' Freddie Thompson's drugs gang but investigations are still "at a very early stage."

k.foy@herald.ie