The caller who made a "bomb threat" to the Intel plant in Leixlip claimed to be from the Islamic extremist group ISIL, security sources have confirmed to Independent.ie

He claimed that 12 devices had been placed at various locations across the large complex in north Kildare, but the scene has since been cleared and employees have returned to work.

Hundreds of employees were evacuated from the plant, following the bomb threat.

It is understood that a threat was phoned in to the Gardai at approximately 5.30am this morning and officers treated it as "credible".

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien Employees outside Intel following an emergency evacuation this morning (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) / Facebook

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Whatsapp The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien

Gardai contacted computer chip giant Intel who in turn contacted their Emergency Response Team, prompting a security alert and mass evacuation.

Special units conducted a thorough search of the campus for any suspect devices.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Employees outside Intel following an emergency evacuation this morning (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) Employees outside Intel following an emergency evacuation this morning (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien The scene outside Intel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, this morning Pic: Kyran O'Brien Employees outside Intel following an emergency evacuation this morning (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Employees outside Intel following an emergency evacuation this morning (Photo: Kyran O'Brien)

Employees were allowed return to work just before 10am this morning after an exhaustive search was completed and no suspect devices were found.

The alert caused traffic mayhem in the area this morning but the plant was reopened just after 9am after the scene was given the all-clear.

Intel employs approximately 4,000 people at its plant in Leixlip.

A construction project is also taking place at the campus at present which would require a large number of contractors on site.

It is not clear how many employees would have been on site this morning when the security alert was issued.

During the alert, staff were not allowed access their vehicles.

Traffic around Leixlip and Intel was heavy as a result - with traffic in Leixlip village coming to a "standstill".

In a statement issued this afternoon, Intel said:

"Shortly after 6am this morning the Gardaí received what they believed to be a credible threat identifying Intel in Leixlip as the location of that threat. As per normal protocol Gardaí shortly thereafter coordinated a response with Intel. A controlled evacuation of the site followed and a search was conducted by trained Intel security personnel throughout the campus with the buildings being declared safe just after 8.30am.

"Employees were thereafter allowed to return to work and normal activity has now resumed at the campus. Intel would like to thank the Gardaí for their support and the general public for their patience as the matter was dealt with."

Intel, which makes computer chips, said last year it has spent $5bn (€3.63bn) over the past three years upgrading its Leixlip.

However, a $6bn Intel investment in Israel was also unveiled in May, raising questions about how Intel was positioning its Irish and Israeli facilities ahead of its next big manufacturing process.

In addition, Intel recently applied for, and received, planning permission for a new plant specifically in anticipation of a new facility to make a new line of processors.

Online Editors