OMM Newsroom
Irish Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists made safe a device discovered in central Dublin on Nov. 13. It was found near the venue where European leaders had attended dinner the previous evening during a two-day summit. Police have launched an investigation, AnewZ reported.
After an initial assessment, the Defence Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called to the scene and neutralized the device.
Police described the explosive as a “rudimentary but viable device.” They have not disclosed further information about when it was placed or how it was constructed.
The device was discovered a day after leaders of the European Political Community attended a dinner at the National Gallery of Ireland. The gallery is across from Merrion Square.
Those attending the event included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the summit but did not go to the dinner. At the time, he was meeting outside Dublin with U.S. president’s special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Security measures stepped up during summit
Ireland mounted its largest-ever police and security operation for the summit. Roads near Merrion Square were closed, and a security perimeter was established around the dinner venue.
The two-day meeting continued on Friday with an informal gathering of European Union leaders at a different venue, about 1.5 kilometres from where the device was found.
Irish officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. They have not disclosed who placed the device or whether it was connected to the summit.
