Viable hand grenade safe after find in garden shed
AN Army bomb disposal team carried out a controlled explosion on a historic hand grenade discovered in a shed on Friday.
A man who had been cleaning out a house in Lahinch, Co Clare, discovered the viable British Mills device.
The grenade, believed to date back to the War of Independence, was found at the property on Station Road.
It’s understood the man recognised the object and placed it in the back garden before raising the alarm.
Gardai contacted the Defence Forces to seek assistance from bomb disposal experts.
One family living nearby was asked to leave their home for a time as a precaution but were allowed to return later.
A Defence Forces spokesman said: “On arrival a cordon was established. A historical Mills 36 hand grenade was identified and disposed of.
“The scene was declared clear of explosives and the team departed the scene at 1.25pm.”
Gardai remained at the scene overnight pending the arrival an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team yesterday.
Technicians examined the object before it was safely removed.