Pipe bomb exploded in clara last night

A Defence Forces spokesman confirmed an explosion took place in Clara last night.

The pipe bomb detonated near Frederick Street sometime between 3.30am and 4am in the morning.

The Defence Forces spokesman said gardai put in a cordon and a number of houses were evacuated this morning.

“They called the Defence Forces because there could be a secondary device,” the spokesman explained.

An Army team arrived at 11.50am, searched for any other devices and carried out a 'post blast analysis' before declaring the scene safe at 12.45pm.

It’s the second call out in Offaly for the Defence Forces in as many days.

An Army bomb disposal team made safe​ a​ viable improvised explosive device at a rural house in Fivealley near Birr in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Gardai called the bomb disposal team after a suspected pipe bomb was discovered at a house.

The area was cordoned off and one nearby building was evacuated as army experts based in Athlone were brought in to deal with the device.

They arrived at the scene at 2.20am and inspected the device at the scene.
They confirmed “the device was ​made safe at the scene without the need for a controlled explosion. It was​ taken away for further examination and was confirmed as viable.” ​The scene was declare safe at 3.10am.

Any items of an evidential nature from either location will be handed over to the Gardaí to assist them with their investigation once they are examined by the Defence Forces.