Bomb Found in Ireland Bus prior to Queen’s Visit

A protester puts up a placard to protest at the visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland, Monday, May, 16, 2011. Queen Elizabeth II begins a four day visit to Ireland on Tuesday for the first time since Irish Independence. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

The police and the army have said that they have found a bomb in an Ireland bus and has been made safe. The bomb was detected and was defused just hours before the Queen’s arrival in Dublin.

The device was found in the luggage compartment of a bus traveling on the outskirts of Maynooth in County Kildare west of Dublin, officials said.

It was found late Monday night and was declared safe early Tuesday morning after a controlled explosion by bomb disposal experts. The bomb parts were given to the police for testing and investigation.

Bomb experts also examined at least one other suspicious object discovered Tuesday but police concluded the small device was a hoax and did not pose a threat to public safety.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the threat from dissidents is minimal because of the police’s extensive security arrangements.

“They’ve put in place a comprehensive security operation. You’ll recall we’ve had American presidents here before, a pope,” he said. “So obviously while there have been incidents, the Gardai (police) have been able to deal with those.”

Queen Elizabeth II is the first monarch to visit Ireland after it gained independence. Her visit has not been welcomed by many and has lead to protests.