Letter containing 'anthrax' sent to Dublin offices of Iona Institute

David Quinn, CEO of the Iona Institute.

The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit are examining a suspicious package sent to the Dublin City office of the Iona Institute.

The package, which was addressed to the Iona Institute, was opened by the organisation's CEO, David Quinn on Tuesday afternoon. The package contained a handwritten letter with Mr Quinn's name on it, along with some white powder and a note suggesting that the substance was anthrax spores.

According to its website, the Iona Institute is an organisation which promotes "the advancement and promotion of the Christian religion, its social and moral values, and the doing of all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of that object".

Anthrax is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria produce extremely potent toxins which can cause severe illness in both people and animals.

In 2001, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, letters laced with anthrax began appearing in mail in the US. Five US citizens died and 17 became ill in what became the deadliest biological attacks in US history.

After opening the package on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Quinn contacted gardaí, who alerted the Defence Forces' EOD.

A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that gardaí were alerted to a "suspicious package at a premises on Merrion Square, Dublin 2, earlier this afternoon".

“A cordon has been put in place around the area and the services of the army Explosives Ordnance Disposal team requested,” the spokesperson said.

The scene was made safe shortly after 6.30pm, and investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The Irish Examiner has contacted the Iona Institute for comment.