Virginia Court cleared as suspected pipe bomb discovered

Virginia District Court has been cleared in the past half hour following the discovery of what appears to be a pipe bomb in the courtroom. Superintendent Leo McGinn is at the scene and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit is on the way.

The device was sitting on the back window sill inside the back door.

It has been described as a two to three-and-a-half-foot-long pipe with a sizeable package on the top, which has been taped over with black insulation tape. There is an oval-shaped timer device attached.

Gardaí have evacuated the building of county council staff in the offices upstairs. The scene has been cordoned off and cars parked in the vicinity are being moved.

Judge Denis McLoughlin was due to hear 38 cases at the court listed in charge sheets and summonses.