Drama in Oulart as bomb squad is called

THE Bomb Disposal Unit attended a house in Oulart yesterday afternoon to examine what were believed to be two unexploded World War II bombs.

They were given to a local resident, Larry Brennan, as a gift and Mr Brennan’s son, Lar, explained the circumstances of how they ended up in his dad’s garden.

‘They were brought up in a fishing boat net about five or six years ago and a person had them in his garden since then,’ said Lar.

However, that person passed away and his son was doing a clearout and knew that Mr Brennan might have an interest in them.

‘He said to me ‘here your dad might like these’ and they were brought from Kilmore to his house in Oulart,’ said Lar.

‘I had a look at them and I wasn’t sure, there was something about the look of them that made me a little nervous.’

Lar posted photos of the two items on a UK magnet fishing website and within a very short time was contacted by numerous people telling him they were World War II bombs.

‘I was contacted by an expert in the UK who said the one on the right looked like it was still live and to not go near it.’

The gardai were then called and over the last 48 hours a large number of members visited the house and the scene was sealed off for the bomb disposal unit to arrive.

‘My dad had been talking about digging a pond in the garden but I told him if those two things go off he will have a lake,’ said Lar.

Inspector Syl Hipwell said the two items were about 15” high and were cylindrical in shape.

He said the bomb disposal unit was notified and the area was sealed off until they arrived yesterday afternoon and removed the items.