BOMB SCARE: Suspect unlikely to face charges yet, medical check underway
A FULL medical background check is being carried out on the suspect who placed the device that brought large parts of Kilkenny city-centre to a standstill for hours today.
In a morning of drama, gardai cordoned off High Street and Kieran’s Street after a suspicious package was discovered shortly after 6am on the Butterslip.
The entire area was closed off to traffic and pedestrians as a safety precaution before members of the Army Bomb Squad were called to the scene, where they later carried out a controlled explosion on the device. The streets were finally declared safe just before 11am.
A man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the bomb scare, which Garda sources tonight described as a “hoax” incident.
The suspect remains in custody at Kilkenny Garda Station, where an incident room was set up to investigate today’s events.
A local Garda source confirmed a full background medical check is being carried out on the suspect, and that he is unlikely to face formal charges yet.
A file of the matter is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
PHOTOS: Pat Moore
