Suspicious device 'was viable'

The Defence Forces have confirmed that a pipe bomb left in Athlone Town last night was viable.

A Defence Forces spokesman said: “We did not carry out a controlled explosion, but the device was made safe.

“It wasn’t left outside a house or planted. It appeared to be left for someone to pick up. It was ready for detonation.”

Gardaí are investigating after the alarm was raised at around 10.45pm when the device was found at the edge of Moydrum Road.

Members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit were called to the scene and removed the explosive for a technical examination.

A garda spokesman said the road reopened 12.25am.