The army has confirmed that a device left outside newly-elected county councillor John O’Donnell’s home was a live device.
Independent John O’Donnell after being elected to Donegal County Council in May.
The Army Bomb Disposal Team rendered safe the viable improvised explosive device outside his home in Downings.
Cllr O’Donnell was made aware of the device last night by Gardai but the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team did not arrive until this morning.
The device was made safe at 10.30am.
An army spokesman confirmed “The Defence Forces deployed the Army Bomb Disposal Team in response to a request from An Garda Síochána after they were alerted to a suspect device in Carrigart, near Milford, Donegal.
“A cordon and road closures were put in place for public safety and a number of nearby houses were evacuated. The team arrived on scene at 8.45 am.
“The device was made safe at the scene, without the need for a controlled explosion and was taken away to a safe military location for further testing where it was later confirmed as a viable Imporvised Explosive Device (IED.)
“All component parts and items of an evidential nature will be handed over to the Gardaí to assist them with their investigation into the incident.”
Cllr O’Donnell has so far failed to make a comment on the incident.
