Man quizzed over bomb

A MAN was questioned by gardaí in Waterford in connection with a suspect device that was found and destroyed in the early hours of yesterday.

Gardaí carrying out a planned search in the Birch Drive area of the city located the device at 12.30am in the back garden of a residential property.

The army’s bomb disposal unit later dealt with the device.

According to Defence Forces press officer Commandant Gavin Young: “The bomb disposal officer carried out a controlled explosion on the improvised explosive device (IED) which was located outside a private house.

“The all clear was given at 6.15am and the remains of the IED were handed over to gardaí on [the] scene for investigation into the incident.”

The area was sealed off pending technical examination and the house and garden, owned by the family were combed for further devices.

It is believed the device may be linked to an ongoing Traveller feud in the city.

Over 100 incidents have been recorded by gardaí since the dispute began in mid-July.

The majority of arrests involved public order, assault and arson-related incidents, in addition to numerous firearm offences, Waterford Superintendent Chris Delaney told a meeting of the City Council’s Joint Policing Committee this week.

More than 12,000 Garda overtime hours have been worked in the feud up to last week.

The estimated cost of both overtime and damage on local authority housing as a result of arson attacks, stands at over €500,000.