Newmarket-on-Fergus welcomed an army bomb disposal team to the village on Sunday evening following the discovery of a hand grenade.

While clearing out the backyard of a recently purchased cottage on the Ballycar Rd, a family came across a vintage device on Sunday afternoon and sounded the alarm to An Garda Síochána at 2:30pm.

Notification was also issued to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team who were requested to attend the scene which is in close proximity to Fr Murphy Memorial Park, they arrived at the house at 5:40pm.

A visual inspection was completed before the EOD crew moved the device to a section of the property, buried it, covered it with sandbags in advance of the controlled explosion.

Gardaí closed the Ballycar Rd to traffic for less than half an hour to allow the operation to take place while neighbouring residents and those from further afield tried to get a view of what was going on.

Crime Prevention Officer, Tríona Brooks acknowledged the understanding showed by the community. “Gardaí want to thank the residents of Newmarket on Fergus for their assistance as there was some disruption to traffic and pedestrians in the area”.

Properties as far as Dromoland and Lemenagh were able to hear the explosion when the routine was conducted.

Local sources believe the grenade dates back as far as July 1919 when the local RIC barracks was raided by the IRA. At the time, it was common procedure for the gentry to leave their weapons and devices with the RIC for safe-keeping.

Related News

moneypoint killimer 9
'Kilrush & West Clare will not survive if we're not ready for 600 Moneypoint workers' - Lynch
DSC02335 copy
Clare to have record long ballot paper for General Election
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 18
77% of Ennis Town Centre businesses impacted negatively by public realm works
donald trump usa flag 1
West Clare hotelier to return to The White House as Trump triumphs in Presidential election
Latest News
st breckans v kildysart 19-10-19 20 seamus hayes alan sweeney donie garrihy
SEAMUS HAYES: 'There is little point arguing that football is the poor relation unless clubs in Clare are willing to speak up'
sean reidy 1
Shannon's Seán Reidy says farewell to Newstalk
clare v wexford 29-06-24 camogie ryan morris
Truagh/Clonlara's strong finish 'down to experience' - Morris
DSC02335 copy
Clare to have record long ballot paper for General Election
tubber v ogonnelloe 24-08-24 henry vaughan fergal o'grady rory gantley 2
Gantley joins Lohan's Clare hurling management
Premium
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 18
77% of Ennis Town Centre businesses impacted negatively by public realm works
clare-v-wexford-oscar-traynor-22-02-20-28
Prepare properly and anything is possible for Clare in Oscar Traynor - Garrihy
ennis courthouse tent 24-02-21 4
Shannon man pleads guilty to 'very serious assault' that left female victim with a broken eye socket, broken ribs and a collapsed lung
facebook tab 1
Kilmihil man found guilty of harassing Garda on Facebook
deirdre murphy clareabbey 1
Iconic GAA figure Brendan Vaughan remembered with renaming of meeting room in his honour

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top