Gardai warn of 'significant danger' as potentially-explosive military round is missing

Gardai have issued an urgent warning after a potentially-explosive device was moved by a member of the public from a walking trail in County Wicklow Wicklow.

In an appeal, issued this Tuesday night, they say the ordnance - a 84mm Illumination round - was discovered by a person  walking on a trail at Lugnaquilla near the military lands in the Glen of Imaal.

"An Garda Síochána is currently carrying out enquiries as to the current whereabouts of potential live ordnance which was sighted, by a member of the public," said a spokesperson who added that the location is inside a signposted 'Range Danger Area' along Route 2 in the Glen of Imaal (see map, below).

"This ordnance is an 84mm Illumination (ILLUM) round approximately 12” long and weighing 3.1kg. It is white in colour and marked as an 84mm ILLUM round," said the garda spokesperson who added that the particular type of round is used for military purposes to illuminate an area during night-time operations.

"There is a possibility that this casing may still contain explosive and incendiary material. If this is the case, it poses both an explosive and incendiary risk which would be of significant danger to the public," they added.

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Gardai say when first sighted the round was partially buried in the ground and would appear to have been in the location for some time.

However, it is no longer at the location where it was sighted and it is believed that it has been removed by a person or persons unknown.

"Any members of the public who may have knowledge of this ordnance are warned not to further move or transport the ordnance, but to make urgent contact with An Garda Síochána by calling 999 / 112," said the spokesperson.

Alternatively, Baltinglass garda station can be contacted at 059 6482610.