UPDATE: Army give update on explosive device found behind houses in Edenderry

The Army has provided an update on an explosive device found at a property in Edenderry on Friday afternoon.

There was a huge Garda presence in the Castleview Park area of Edenderry, Co Offaly, today amid a bomb scare near houses.

Gardai responded to reports of a suspect device in the estate at around 12pm and worked to cordon off the area with residents of a number of nearby houses temporarily evacuated as they awaited Army support.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit attended the scene shortly before 3pm amid a large garda presence and they gave the Offaly Express an update on Friday evening. 

They said: "This afternoon, Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Síochána, in relation to a suspicious device in Edenderry.

"Following an assessment by our EOD team this device was removed from the scene for further investigation, and the scene was made safe.

"This operation has concluded and all elements have been returned to Barracks."

Gardaí confirmed their response to the incident in a statement to the Offaly Express earlier.

They said: "Gardaí received a report of a suspicious device in the Castleview Park area of Edenderry, County Offaly, at approximately midday on Friday 10th May 2024.

"The area was cordoned off and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit attended the scene."