Bomb disposal team call-outs double

THE army bomb disposal team has seen a doubling in the number of call-outs since 2007 — rising from 98 three years ago to 192 so far this year.

Although the number of call-outs has remained the same between 2009 and 2010, the number of viable devices dealt with has risen from 18 in 2007, to 29 in 2008, to 42 last year, and 44 throughout 2010.

An increase in activity by republican groups is believed to be behind a rise in call-outs which is mainly taking place in the greater Dublin area, possibly related to a Real IRA campaign to target drugs gangs in the capital.