A housing estate was partly evacuated this morning after a 60-year-old hand grenade was discovered by two young children.
The grenade, which gardaí said resembled a second World War model, was found in the Rosemount estate in Cahir, south Co Tipperary at about 9am.
A Garda spokesman said the force was notified of the discovery by the children’s father and that the area was sealed off and a number of houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
He said the Army bomb disposal unit was called to examine the object, which was later confirmed to be from the era.
Sources said it was unlikely the grenade was associated with any form of criminal activity.
Capt Pat O’Connor of the Defence Forces said any threat posed by the device was diffused.
“Following inspection the grenade was found to be live,” Capt O’Connor said.
“It was removed by the bomb disposal team to be disposed of safely with a controlled explosion on nearby waste ground.”
The scene was declared safe at around 1pm and locals were allowed to return to their homes.
It was the 151st time the bomb disposal team had been called out this year.
