Explosive device found in Navan was 'viable' - Two men arrested
UPDATE: 10:30am
Two men are in Garda custody following the discovery of a suspected explosive device in Navan, shortly after midnight on 17th December 2018.
At about 12.05am Gardaí on routine patrol stopped a van at Brews Hill, Navan. Following a search of the van they discovered a suspected explosive device. The two occupants of the van, a man in his 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested and are detained at Navan Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.
An Army EOD team was called and controlled explosion was carried out on the device.
It's understood a number of local residents in the area were evacuated on disciovery of the device.
Gardaí called the Army Bomb Disposal Team to remove the device. The army team arrived at the scene at 3.20am, after which time a cordon was put in place to ensure public safety.
A "viable IED" was discovered in the vehicle, made safe, and removed for further investigation by technicians.
The scene was declared safe at 8.25am and residents have since returned to their homes.
One local resident who didn't wish to be named told the Meath Chronicle: "At around 1.20am a garda was knocking to all doors on the Boreen Keel asking everyone to evacuate as they found some suspicious device and needed to seal off the area. We were back home by 6.15am and the Gardai were waiting for specialists to deal with the device."
It was a busy start to Monday for the local emergency services in Navan town, with a serious accident occuring just outisde the Meath Chronicle offices.
More to follow..
