While Queen Elizabeth II’s historical visit to Ireland is coming to an end today, events last Monday night could have put the whole trip in jeopardy.
A bomb was found on a bus which had departed Ballina last Monday night and was on its way to Dublin city centre. The 17.45 Bus Éireann service was being operated by a private contractor on behalf of Bus Éireann. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence Dara Calleary has expressed his shock and concern at the bomb discovery. “Those behind this senseless criminal act have put the lives of innocent people at risk,” he said. “This is not about misguided ideology, it is a direct attack on the safety of ordinary people trying to go about their daily business.”
According to Deputy Calleary the visit by the Monarch marks “another milestone in the process of reconciliation”.
The device was discovered in the luggage compartment of the bus outside the Glen Royal Hotel in Maynooth and was made safe by an Army bomb disposal team.
The Defence Forces deployed the team following a request by the Garda after 11pm. It is believed the Garda had received a tip-off.
The device was viable but it was not primed and the scene was declared safe at 1.55am.
The bus carrying 30 passengers had been evacuated.
Just hours before Queen Elizabeth II landed down in Dublin, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said there was no chance the visit would be cancelled despite the Kildare bomb find, and two other hoax packages which were found in Dublin city.
“This is an historic and symbolic visit and it is dealing with the conclusion of the past and a message for the future,” Taoiseach Kenny told RTÉ radio.
“These things happen when global personalities visit any countries... and whether it be Ireland or other countries, adequate security arrangements are put in place.”
