Port sealed off for ‘national emergency’
The public was kept back from the scene as bomb disposal experts worked on the device.
However, there was no need for alarm, as up to 100 personnel from a number of different agencies were taking part in a national training exercise.
Despite the fact that it is unlikely that terrorists would detonate a radioactive, biological or chemical bomb in Ireland, the authorities are taking no chances and this exercise, which will continue today, is designed to deal with such a scenario.
Around 20 members of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive unit were tasked with making the dirty bomb safe.
They first sent in a remote-controlled unit equipped with cameras and detectors to ascertain what was attached to the explosive device. Then teams were dispatched into the “hot zone” to work on separating the explosive component from the material that could have constituted a radioactive or chemical weapon.
Several scenarios were run yesterday, including one where nuclear material was found attached to the explosive device.
In the event of high radioactive levels, bomb disposal teams would be sent in for short periods to work on the device to ensure they were not leaving themselves open to serious contamination.
HSE personnel would then checked the army personnel with chemical and radioactive detectors as they left the danger zone for rest periods.
HSE chief emergency management officer Peter Daly said his personnel had manned special decontamination tents where they washed down the bomb disposal experts as they left the scene.
If the bomb exploded, he said, “radiation injuries could be caused to the people close to it”.
The further away people are the less likely the risk, but there might be long-term health issues, Mr Daly added.
Met Éireann experts were also on hand with computerised models to predict where radiation fallout would occur in prevailing conditions.
Mr Daly said a command and control centre had been set up at the scene and it had a webcam conferencing links to experts in Cork and Dublin hospitals.
Members of the ambulance service, fire brigade and Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland were also involved in the exercise, which was led by the Defence Forces.
It is the third such national exercise of its type to take place in this country. Last year it was held at Dublin Port and the previous year at Dublin Airport.
