Dissident link to Ballisodare bomb
THOSE with links to dissident republicans are the focus of the Garda probe into last Wednesday’s early morning incident in Ballisodare when a pipe bomb exploded under a van in a housing estate. Residents in a small estate off the Young’s Road were awakened around 5am by a loud explosion which caused damage to a van and also shattered windows in nearby empty retail units. Scorch marks were left by the pipe bomb on the road while fragments of the improvised explosive device were also scattered around the area. On receiving a call at 9am Gardai went to the scene and a Defence Forces Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit based in Athlone later carried out an examination.
The van, which didn’t appear to have been substantially damaged, was subsequently removed for technical examination and a number of exhibits have been sent for analysis to the Garda Forensics Labo- ratory in Dublin. An investigation under Detective Inspector Jim Delaney has been set up and a number of lines of enquiry are being pursued. Gardai have appealed for any witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in the Young’s Road/ Union Road area of Ballisodare last Wednesday between 4am and 6am to contact them at Sligo Garda Station. It is believed the pipe bomb had a fuse which was then lit and thrown under the vehicle in what is described as a targeted attack.