LIVE: Warning over missing explosive device is stood down as military round is located

A missing and potentially live ordnance, which gardaí said may have contained explosive material, has since been recovered following a public appeal.

This news comes after the authorities issued an urgent warning once learning the device was moved by a member of the public from a walking trail in Co Wicklow. 

In an appeal, issued on Tuesday, April 15, they said the ordnance was first discovered by a person walking on a trail at Lugnaquilla near the military lands in the Glen of Imaal.

When first sighted, it was partially buried in the ground and would appear to have been in the location for some time.

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However, the ordnance was no longer at the location where sighted upon looking for it, with gardaí believing that it had been removed by a person or persons unknown.

This ordnance was an 84mm Illumination (ILLUM) round approximately 12” long and weighing 3.1kg. It is white in colour and was marked as an 84mm ILLUM round.

This round is used for military purposes to illuminate an area during night-time operations. There was a possibility that this casing may still contain explosive and incendiary material. If that was the case, it would have posed both an explosive and incendiary risk that would have been of significant danger to the public.

Thankfully after carrying out enquiries as to the current whereabouts of the potential live ordnance, it has been located. 

The gardaí wish to thank the public for their assistance.