Gardaí and British Police have issued a joint appeal for information on the five letterbombs that were sent to locations in the UK in March.

Investigators said three of the packages were delivered to transport hubs in London and a fourth to the University of Glasgow.

A fifth addressed to a location in London was returned to a postal depot in Limerick.

On March 11th, a group calling itself the New IRA claimed responsibility.

Police are now formally linking the packages to those sent to various British Army Recruitment Centres in 2014 - after forensic analysis of the packages found “similarities between the devices and the methodology” used.

A letterbomb sent to Glasgow University. Image: An Garda Síochána

This morning Gardaí said the “extremely dangerous and reckless act endangered the lives of innocent persons and could have caused serious harm to anyone handling these devices.”

Investigators are appealing to anyone, particularly postal workers, who may remember collecting or seeing the parcels on or around 1st March 2019.

Gardaí said the investigation has already uncovered forensic evidence and authorities are keen to rule out anyone who may have innocently come into contact with the parcels.

A letterbomb sent to Glasgow University. Image: An Garda Síochána

The Senior National Coordinator for the UK’s Counter Terrorism Command, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon said investigators are keen to talk to anyone who may have handled the packages between March 1st and March 22nd.

“Our inquiries continue, but clearly a key element of the investigation now is the link between the devices previously sent in 2014, and the five sent earlier this year,” he said.

“As with any investigation, we will be led by the evidence but at this stage, our principal line of inquiry is that the devices were sent by a violent dissident republican group.

“The devices that were sent not only put their intended recipients in danger but also endangered the lives of all those who handled and processed the parcels both in the Republic of Ireland as well as the UK.

“This was an extremely dangerous and reckless act and I would urge anyone who may have information about those responsible to contact police.”

A letterbomb sent to Glasgow University. Image: An Garda Síochána

The joint investigation involves the Gardaí, the Met Counter Terrorism Command, Police Scotland and the PSNI.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Garda Síochána Confidential Number on 1800 666 111 or the Crimestoppers Number 1800 25 00 25.