Hotel evacuated due to hoax bomb scare

November 1997

Somebody annoyed at not being invited to a 21st birthday party may have been the person responsible for a bomb scare that saw the venue having to be evacuated on Saturday night.

The hoax caller sparked off a major security alert at the Brandon House Hotel (New Ross), leaving management with no option but to evacuate some 400 guests having been informed that two bombs were planted on the premises.

The female caller contacted the hotel reception at 10.55 p.m., saying the bombs had been planted in the function room and they were due to detonate at 11.17 p.m.

The room was occupied at the time by more than 200 revellers who were attending a 21st birthday party hosted by [NAME AND ADDRESS WITHELD].

The hotel’s General Manager, Paul Kinsella, took immediate action when informed of the call and evacuated the building, having explained to party-goers that a bomb warning had been received.

Almost 100 other guests who between them were occupying the hotel’s restaurant and bar were also evacuated, along with staff members and those who had bedroom accommodation.

A full search of the premises was subsequently conducted by Mr Kinsella and staff members prior to the arrival of gardaí, who carried out another thorough investigation before satisfying themselves that it was safe to allow guests back into the building.

Normality was restored by midnight and the incident is now under investigation by New Ross gardaí, who believe that the call was the work of a ‘disgruntled’ person who had not received an invitation the birthday party.

No-one has yet been interviewed or arrested in connection with the incident.