GARDAI discovered a pipe bomb stashed close to a Dublin shopping centre last night.

The viable device was found at 12.07am on waste ground adjacent to Clare Hall Shopping Centre, and close to a bus stop.

The army bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion on a pipe bomb they deemed viable which was packed with explosive.

Gardai carrying out a planned search before midnight had discovered the device not far from a bus stop and called in the army's Explosives Ordnance Division to inspect it.

The area was sealed off, and the improvised device was detonated in a controlled environment.

No homes were evacuated in the operation, but the area was not declared safe until after 2.30am.

It was unclear when the device was left at the site but gardai believe it could have been there for a couple of days.

A source said: "It is worrying that a high-explosive device like this would be stored close to where people queue for buses. It was obviously been held for a pick up in the coming days."

Meanwhile, an unoccupied family home was petrol bombed overnight in an unrelated attack in west Dublin.

The incident took place on a house at Barry Drive in Finglas at 11pm, when a device was thrown at the property.

The alarm was raised as the flammable bomb exploded. causing damage to the exterior of the house.

The flames were brought under control by Dublin Fire Brigade and there were no reported injuries.

No arrests have been made but gardai are investigating if the attack is linked to ongoing personal feuding in the area, which has escalated in recent months.

A source said: "This attack shows the recklessness of criminals operating in the west of the city. This was a well constructed incendiary device and it could have caused serious injury if there had been anyone at home."

Haul

Separately, officers from Finglas arrested two people following a drug seizure in the area yesterday evening.

A quantity of ecstacy, cocaine, cannabis herb and amphetamines were all discovered in the planned search which took place in a house at 7.10pm.

The value of the haul is estimated to be around €135k.

Both of the detained can be held for up to seven days under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1996. They are being questioned at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

cfeehan@herald.ie

- Connor Feehan