Army experts forced to deal with surge in hoax bomb threats

ARMY bomb disposal experts have been called out to deal with a sharp rise in hoax emergencies this year, figures show.

These false alarms involve fake devices that resemble a potential bomb or explosive device, typically used by criminals to intimidate, warn or terrorise their targets.

Figures released by Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and the defence forces show that the army’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams have been called out 180 times this year, up to November 15.