Gardaí have seized “viable pipe bombs” in Tallaght and Drogheda during separate raids within a day of each other, with the discovery of the explosives in Dublin forcing the evacuation of an apartment complex.
In two different statements published by the Garda Press Office yesterday, a spokesperson confirmed that the devices were uncovered during “ongoing” policing operations across Dublin and Co. Louth.
“As part of an ongoing operation, Gardaí attached to the DMR South Serious Crime Unit and Drugs Unit and Community Policing Unit carried out a search of an apartment at Tallaght, Dublin 24, on Monday 19th October 2026,” the spokesperson said.
“During the course of the search, two viable pipe bombs were located.”
Following the discovery of the devices in the Tallaght apartment, residents were removed from the building while military experts were called in to secure the perimeter.
“The apartment complex was evacuated,” the spokesperson continued.
“A cordon was established, and a Defence Forces EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the area safe, and removed the devices for further examination.”
Four individuals, including a man in his 20s and three women in their 30s and 40s, were subsequently taken into custody at the Dublin location, where investigations remain ongoing.
“Four individuals… were arrested at the scene,” the spokesperson stated.
“They are currently detained pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda Station in the Dublin area.”
In a separate Co. Louth operation, authorities searched open ground and recovered another explosive device.
“As part of ongoing operations targeting organised criminal activity in the region, Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search on open land at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth on 18th October 2026,” the spokesperson confirmed.
“During the course of the search, a viable pipe bomb was located and subsequently made safe by a Defence Forces EOD (Explosive Ordnance Device) team.”
Alongside the pipe bomb in Drogheda, law enforcement officers recovered a loaded handgun and a loaded machine gun during the search, which was supported by the Armed Support Unit and dog units.
“Two loaded firearms… were also located, along with ammunition,” the spokesperson added.
“The operation was carried out with the assistance of members from Drogheda, the Armed Support Unit and local and national Dog Units. No arrests have been made at this time. The seized items will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis. Investigations are ongoing.”
While there is currently no evidence that the two cases are linked, pipe bombs were seized in both Tallaght and Drogheda over consecutive days.
Both areas have been the focus of policing operations targeting organised criminal activity in recent years.
An Garda Síochána regularly utilises specialised units, such as the Divisional Drugs Unit and the Armed Support Unit, to disrupt gangland networks and recover illicit firearms and explosives across the country.