Man arrested after five viable bombs placed at water supply sites
Investigators have not yet established the man’s motivation for planting the devices — none of which detonated.
A man has been arrested in a joint Garda-PSNI operation into at least five viable bomb devices placed at water supply sites, three in the Republic and two in the North — the most recent in Foynes, Co Limerick.
Investigators have not yet established the man’s motivation for planting the devices — none of which detonated — and are hoping to try and establish his reasoning during questioning.
The suspect, from South Armagh, has no known connections with republican paramilitaries or any other type of violent extremist group.
No manifesto or campaign has been linked to the suspect, who is aged in his mid-40s.
The man, a welder by trade, is being linked to three “viable devices” in the Republic — one in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, one in North Dublin and the most recent one in Foynes.
The one in north Dublin is from a year or two ago while the Castleblaney one is recent.
Security sources said that while the devices were viable they were missing certain technical expertise.
The devices were placed at commercial premises either at connection points to water supplies or at waste treatment sites.
Security sources said it was not clear why the man was doing this and are investigating whether it is linked to a grievance or if it stems from mental health issues or possible conspiracy thinking.
Gardaí do not think it is connected with Irish Water. Two of the incidents are in the North.
The Garda Special Detective Unit — the force’s anti-terrorism branch — is supporting local garda investigations, coordinating all three investigations, and is liaising with the PSNI.
The Garda Cavan/Monaghan branch is taking the lead in the local investigations.
Sources said the man went to a “huge amount of effort” making the devices, travelling the country and breaking into commercial properties to place the devices.
Sources have moved to contradict speculation that the most recent incident at the Aughinish Alumina refinery at Foynes last Friday is connected to its Russian ownership.
It is thought that the device there was spotted by a member of staff, who alerted gardaí.
A Defence Forces EOD team was deployed and it made the device safe. Security sources said all three devices are similar and that they have been linked to the suspect.
The PSNI moved in to conduct a search on the man’s home in South Armagh on Sunday; he had travelled south of the border, as he often does for work.
He was picked up by armed units attached to STOC (Special Tactics & Operations Command), backed by local gardaí.
He was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for 48 hours and a further and final period of 24 hours.
Sources have said that if the devices were detonated the damage would have been “site-specific” and not had any wider impact on water supplies to the local population.
However, sources added that if there were detonated and someone was near it, it could cause significant injuries.
It is thought the suspect used his knowledge as a welder together with information online to construct the devices.
A statement issued by Garda HQ said: “As part of the investigation into the discovery of a number of attempted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Northeast and Southwest of the country, a male (40s) was arrested on Sunday, 6th July 2025.
“The male was arrested during an operation on Sunday evening involving National, Regional and local Garda units in County Monaghan.
“He is currently being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the North Western Region.
“An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with our colleagues in the PSNI in relation to this investigation.
"As this is an ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.”
