Hunt for those involved in placing pipe bomb outside Cork developer's home

The viable bomb was left unexploded on the bonnet of a car which was parked outside the developer’s house in Bandon, West Cork, on June 18.

A hunt is under way for those involved in placing a pipe bomb outside the home of a Cork property developer who has worked to provide refugee accommodation for the State.

The viable bomb was left unexploded on the bonnet of a car which was parked outside the developer’s house in Bandon, West Cork, on June 18.

Just over one week after the pipe bomb was found there by a neighbour, no arrests have been made.

Garda headquarters said that the investigation is ongoing.

Gardaí have been analysing CCTV footage from the area. 

Sources said that the pipe bomb found in Bandon may mark a sinister development in intimidation by anti-immigrant agitators.

The Garda Special Detective Unit, which targets violent extremism and terrorism, is believed to be assisting gardaí in Cork.

The suspected target has been involved in developing sites for use by the International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas), some of which have been targeted by protests and attacks.

He has spoken publicly about fears for his and his family's safety before.

The pipe bomb was seen by someone in the area, and it was reported to gardaí on the evening of June 18.

Neighbours were evacuated around 7pm but were permitted to return at 10pm.

The Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit safely removed the suspected bomb, and ballistics tests were to be carried out on it.

No one was in the targeted house at the time.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said that they were woken by gardaí at their door telling them to evacuate as a bomb had been found on the street.

“They said we had to get out for our own safety. But they didn’t rush us.

“There was no panic; they had everything under control.

“I left with my children, but I was not afraid to return. When they [gardaí] said it was safe to return, I trusted them that it was.

“I usually feel so safe in this area.” 

Another neighbour, who also asked not to be named, said that although a few families were evacuated from their homes that night, the situation was handled well by gardaí.

• Gardaí in Bandon are looking to speak to anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area on June 18, and they are appealing for anyone with video footage, including dashcam footage, from the area to make it available to officers.
• Anyone with information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on 023 8852200, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.