Government buildings evacuated after hoax security alerts

Hoax security alerts caused disruption at various government buildings in Dublin on Friday.

Gardai said all alerts had been deemed hoaxes and the areas declared safe.

The building where the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is based, on Kildare Street, was among several departmental premises evacuated on Friday.

Officials from the Department of Culture and Tourism, based in the Enterprise Department’s building, were also asked to leave.

Staff were advised to work from home the remainder of the day and not to access the buildings.

Lansdowne House, which hosts the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, was evacuated at about 2pm and staff were asked to work from home.

A department spokesman said no hearings have been lost at the Labour Court.

A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai are aware of a number of security alerts at government buildings this afternoon.

“Following further inquiries, An Garda Siochana is satisfied that all of the alerts have been deemed as hoax and the areas have been declared safe.”

Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: “This is obviously a really serious issue to happen. It disrupts an entire business or building but it’s also very scary for those involved.

“The people who are responsible, gardai will spare no expense in making sure they’re held accountable.”