Gardaí investigating if planned pipe bomb attack was foiled after seizure of explosive devices in Dublin

The four improvised bombs were recovered from a van in an industrial estate in Clondalkin on Sunday afternoon.

The vehicle was stopped shortly after 3pm by gardaí on patrol in the area and the pipe bombs were discovered inside the van following a search.

Gardaí called the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to the scene and the bomb squad later safely removed the devices.

The driver of the van was arrested at the scene and is currently being quizzed in relation to the explosives find.

Detectives are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the seizure and are following a number of lines of inquiry.

One theory is that the pipe bombs had been sourced to be used as part of a retaliation attack linked to a localised dispute.

Gardaí are aware of one incident in which a property in the Clondalkin area was targeted recently and are investigating if the explosives bust is connected to that incident.

“There was a house attacked earlier this month and one line of inquiry at this stage is that the pipe bombs had been sourced as part of a retaliation effort,” one source said.

“Thankfully this was prevented thanks to the good work of gardaí on the ground, but there are concerns that there will be further attempts as part of this local dispute.”

The man arrested as part of the explosives find is aged in his 40s and known to gardaí but is not considered a major criminal figure.

He is currently being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Dublin garda station and can be held for up to three days.

A garda spokesperson said that in follow-up searches in the Ballyfermot and Ronanstown areas, a small quantity of suspected cannabis and a scrambler bike were seized.

“All drugs seized are now subject to examination by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). Investigations are ongoing,” the spokesperson added.