Bomb disposal unit called over suspicious package at Athlone parcel hub

The Army bomb disposal unit was called to DPD's parcel delivery hub in Athlone earlier this afternoon (Tuesday) due to concerns about a suspicious package.

The unit was brought in as a precautionary measure, and the incident led to the busy parcel hub on the Dublin Road having to cease operations for approximately 90 minutes.

Thankfully the material which had caused concern did not turn out to be a viable explosive. A Defence Forces representative described it as steel mortar parts.

A spokesperson for DPD said the incident arose from a routine security and customs check at the Athlone distribution centre.

A suspicious parcel was identified, which led to the centre being evacuated and An Garda Siochana taking control of the site.

After a 90-minute suspension of operations, the facility returned to normal at approximately 2.45pm.

"The safety of our staff is of utmost importance to us," said the chief executive of DPD, Des Travers.

"The response of the emergency services were tremendous and I would particularly like to compliment them for averting what could have been a major disaster.

"DPD Ireland has a contingency plan in place for such an emergency and the various elements of this plan were successfully implemented today."

This is the second such incident at the DPD parcel hub in Athlone this year.

In February, Gardai and the bomb disposal unit - formally known as the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit - were called to the site in similar circumstances.

A number of devices were located and removed for examination during the February incident, but were subsequently not deemed to be viable.