Gardaí and Army Bomb Disposal Called to Malahide Home

Gardaí and Army Bomb Disposal Called to Malahide Home After Shed Clean-Out

Residents in Malahide, Co. Dublin, were given an unexpected reminder that you never quite know what you might find when clearing out an old shed.

Gardaí and members of the Army Bomb Disposal Team attended an address in Malahide today after an item believed to be potentially dangerous was discovered during a shed clean-out.

The discovery was made while the shed was being cleared. Rather than taking any chances with the object, the occupants contacted the authorities, who quickly attended the property.

The area was assessed by Gardaí before the Army Bomb Disposal Team was called in to examine the item.

The Army's bomb disposal experts subsequently removed the object from the property for further examination. It is understood that it has now been taken away so that it can be safely identified and assessed.

While incidents like this can understandably cause concern for local residents, the presence of the Army Bomb Disposal Team does not necessarily mean that a live bomb or explosive device has been found. Objects discovered in old sheds, garages, attics and outbuildings can sometimes turn out to be old military items, ammunition, pyrotechnics or other objects that have been stored away for many years.

In this case, the safest thing to do was exactly what was done — leave the object alone and contact the authorities.

Old sheds can contain all sorts of forgotten items, particularly when they have not been properly cleared for many years. People may not even realise what an old object is or whether it could still present a danger.

The advice is simple if you come across something suspicious while cleaning out a shed, garage, attic or garden.

Don't touch it, don't move it and don't try to work out what it is yourself.

Move away from the area and contact An Garda Síochána. Gardaí can then assess the situation and, if necessary, arrange for the Army's specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel to attend.

The Army Bomb Disposal Team deals with a wide range of suspicious and potentially dangerous items throughout Ireland. Its highly trained personnel have the specialist equipment and expertise needed to examine and safely deal with objects that could pose a risk.

For the people involved in today's shed clean-out in Malahide, what started as an ordinary clear-out turned into a rather unexpected visit from Gardaí and the Army.

The item has now been removed from the property and will be examined by the Army's specialists.

It is another useful reminder that when clearing out an old shed, you should always take care around anything unusual, especially old metal objects, ammunition-like items or anything you cannot confidently identify.

Sometimes, the safest thing you can do is simply leave it where you found it and call the experts.

Malahide may have had an unusual visitor today, but thankfully the situation was dealt with by the professionals and the item is now safely in their hands.