Second Evacuation in Waterford inside a Month

Gardai in Waterford City have evacuated an area in the Short-Course area of the city after a suspect device was found.

Roads in the area were quickly closed off and diversions around the Barrack Street area were put in place as Gardai dealt with the incident. The Bomb disposal Squad based in Cork were also summoned to the area.

Gardai began to clear the area at about 8-30am this morning and have no idea of when they can return. Residents are currently being looked after at the Mount Sion centre and at local business premises outside of the area in which the cordon is in place.

Local Waterford City and County Councillor, Sinn Fein’s John Hearne has told local radio station W.L.R.fm that the incident show that the Gardai need more resources in Waterford to deal with law and order issues.

Earlier this month a number of buildings in the city centre were evacuated after an anonymous phone call was made claiming that two bombs were set to explode in the city. On that occasion Gardai quickly evacuated the Mall Area as hundreds of people were told to leave after reports were received of a bomb been placed in the Theatre Royal.

Gardai rescue man from River Suir

Two Gardai helped rescue a man in his 40’s from drowning the River Suir at Clonmel last night.

The rescue happed about 11pm when Gardai received reports there was a man in the River close to the Bridgewater House.

Two Gardai from Clonmel Garda Station rushed to the scene where on arriving Garda Brian Batt and Garda Brendan Ryan jumped into the river to help assist a man floating on the water and who was not moving.

A number of onlookers also helped in the operation as the man was removed from the water by a river ladder.

The man who was unresponsive was transferred to a Garda Car and driven to meet an oncoming ambulance that was also summoned to the scene and was taken to South Tipperary General Hospital where he received treatment.

The man who was unconscious on arriving at South Tipperary General Hospital was reported to be in a stable condition this morning.