Victims of pipe-bomb attack were not intended targets
An innocent family were wrongly targeted in a pipe bomb attack in Dublin, it emerged today.
Detectives believe a couple and their five young children – who were forced to flee their home when the windows blew in – were not the intended target for the device.
Forensic teams and the Defence Forces bomb disposal squad have examined the scene of the attack in Spitalfields, off Francis Street.
The device exploded at the rear of the property shortly after 11pm last night.
“The house was occupied by two adults and five children, aged from two to 10 years, at the time,” said a garda spokesman.
“Gardaí received a call that there was some kind of explosion and on arrival found the back windows of the house had blown in.
“A number of the houses in the area were evacuated and the scene cordoned off.
“An army disposal unit arrived at 12.20pm and confirmed the damage was caused by a pipe bomb.
“The area was declared safe at 12.45am the evacuated residents, with the exception of the house where the explosion occurred, were allowed to return home.
“At this stage we are not linking this attack with any other activities in the area.”
In a separate incident, arsonists set fire to an unoccupied house in Tymon North Place, Tallaght, at around 12.30am.
Gardaí, who originally suspected the blaze was caused by a petrol bomb, said the front door had been smashed and a fire started.
“The fire as brought under control fairly quickly by the fire brigade and no one was injured,” added a garda spokesman.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
