Around 100 residents of Marine View and Montree had to be evacuated from their homes yesterday afternoon, Thursday March 25, after the Army was called to deal with a third suspect device to be found in the town in the last 15 days.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD ) unit carried out a controlled explosion at around 3.50pm yesterday on what is believed to have been an “elaborate hoax”, although this has yet to be officially confirmed by the Gardai at the time of print.
The device, described by an eyewitness as being “about a foot long and an inch wide with wires hanging out”, was left in front of the Athlone Sub Aqua van near the centre of a public lane that connects Marine View with the Athlone water treatment works. It is believed it was found by the driver of the van as he came out to use it and he notified the authorities.
Gardai are keeping an “open mind” on where the device came from until a full forensic examination is carried out on its remnants.
“I was up that way this morning with the dog and I didn’t see anything,” said a bystander.
“I was in the army myself and by the sound of it, I didn’t think there was anything in it. You’d’a got a bigger bang from a firecracker.
“I saw the robot pick up the yoke. The EOD officer didn’t even have the full gear on.”
Residents were allowed back into their homes before 4.30pm as Gardai began their investigation.
At the moment, there is no connection between this device and the two “viable” pipe bombs left outside the front doors of Athlone’s two head shops on March 10.
Investigations into both of these bombs are still ongoing.
