The army bomb disposal squad was called out three times last night in response to reports of suspicious devices in Dublin and Laois.

A viable improvised explosive device was found at the M7 Motorway near Mountrath.

Meanwhile, in Dublin a viable device was found in Ballymun and bomb components were found in Killinarden, Tallaght.

All of the items have now been handed over to gardaí for examination.

Commandant Pat O'Connor of The Defence Forces outlines the three incidents: 

"The first being in the Killinarden area of Tallaght, where the bomb disposal team deployed and made safe a number of improvised explosive device-making components.

In a second call-out was to the Mountrath area of Portlaoise, the army bomb disposal team made safe an improvised explosive device and a number of firearms.

And then finally in the Ballymun area of Dublin last night, the bomb disposal team made safe a viable improvised explosive device."

Two men were arrested following the incident in Laois.