HELP US FIND CORD BOMBER
‘Explosion would have ripped pub toilets to shreds’
GARDAI are determined to catch those behind the shocking discovery of an explosive device in the toilet of a local pub.
‘Had that gone off, the explosion would have ripped the toilets to shreds and killed whoever was in there,’ Supt Andrew Watters (pictured inset) stated. ‘We are determined to find out who is behind this.’
GARDA chiefs are keeping an open mind on the motive behind the discovery of an explosive device in the toilet of Sarsfields pub on the Cord Road.
Customers and staff were evacuted after the discovery by a barman and the area was then sealed off by gardai who quickly contained the situation.
As a precaution, a number of people had to leave their homes for some hours as the device was made safe.
The drama began to unfold around 9pm on Tuesday night after the discovery was made.
Some residents made accommodated in the d Hotel after being asked to leave their homes.
The cordon saw a number of streets sealed off, including the area around the historic Laurence’s Gate.
The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) were called to the scene and arrived around 11.50pm.
After inspecting the scene, the EOD made the device safe and it was removed for further examination.
A spokesperson later confirmed that it was viable and had it exploded could have caused death or severe harm to those in the vicinity of it.
Gardai were praised for their swift action in closing the roads and making sure people were kept safe during the incident.
People were allowed to return to their homes around 1am.
‘ The investigation is ongoing and we are keeping an open mind on why that device was there,’ Supt Andrew Watters stated. ‘We are looking at CCTV and interviewing people who were in the pub. Again, we would urge anyone with information to contact Drogheda gardai.’
He said he was aware of reports of a dissident IRA link to the incident but gardai were not looking at such a suggestion at this time.
‘Had that fuse been lit, it would have destroyed the toilets and killed someone,’ he stated.
‘We want to find the person that left it there and why it was left there. It had the potential to kill.’
He also said there was nothing to suggest a link to concens over drugs on the Cord Road.