A WIDOW and her four adult sons had a miraculous escape from death early yesterday when a pipe bomb exploded after it was thrown through the front window of a house in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

A traveller accused of murder told gardaí he was forced to drive the getaway car for two gunmen against his will, a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard today.

GARDAÍ investigating a major fire in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, which caused an estimated €100,000 worth of damage, say there is no indication the blaze was started maliciously.