Garda probe after petrol bomb find

Gardaí have launched an investigation following the discovery of a small petrol bomb-like device in Cork City.

Sources described the device last night as very crude. It is understood a coffee jar and a small amount of accelerant were among its components.

The accelerant involved was not petrol, and it is understood it would have been difficult to ignite.

However, army bomb disposal experts confirmed it was a viable improvised explosive device, and could, if ignited, have caused damage to property or injury.

The alarm was raised just after midday when gardaí were made aware of the device in a public park off the Boreenmanna Road.

They requested the services of a Defence Forces army bomb disposal team based at Collins Barracks, and a cordon was put in place for public safety.

The team arrived at 12.40pm and a bomb disposal expert examined the device, before determining that it could be made safe without the need for a controlled explosion.

Items of an evidential nature were handed over to the gardaí to assist them with their investigation. The scene was declared safe at 1pm.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have seen anything unusual or anyone acting suspiciously in the Boreenmanna Road area in the hours before the device was discovered to contact them.