Two viable explosive devices were found in a field near Stradbally which were intended to be used in an attack on Prince Charles and Camilla in Kilkenny on Friday, it has been reported.

According to the Irish Daily Star, two viable explosive devices were found in a field on the road between Athy, Co Kildare, and Stradbally, Co Laois, on Wednesday afternoon.

It is believed the devices had been dropped off there by one group of people and were to be picked up by another group and brought to Co Kilkenny.

The newspaper’s crime correspondent, Michael O’Toole, claimed gardaí were satisfied the pipe bombs were destined for Kilkenny for an attack connected to Prince Charles.

Sources confirmed that the army’s bomb disposal team was called to the scene where the devices were found.

However, the Army press office declined to comment when contacted by LaoisToday and referred us to the Garda press office, who have yet to comment.

According to The Star, sources also confirmed the two devices were viable and made safe by the army experts.

It is a common tactic among dissidents to drop pipe bomb at one location, a so-called dead letter drop, where they are picked up by others at a later time, the newspaper added.

No-one was arrested in the operation and investigations are ongoing.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Kildare, Kilkenny and Dublin last week.

Hurley

While in Kilkenny they met Brian Cody and Henry Shefflin where Prince Charles was presented with a hurley. In the presence of the Kilkenny greats he pucked a sliothar with his new present.

The royal visit last week sparked a massive security operation.

Prince Charles’ own uncle, Lord Mounbatten was one of four people killed in an IRA bomb attack while on holiday in Sligo in 1979.

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