A man in his 40s has been arrested after 2 suspect devices were found in Newcastle West in Co. Limerick last night.

The devices were discovered in a rented apartment over the constituency office of Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan on Maiden Street in the town.

Local residents were evacuated while the army made the area safe.

However the devices were found not to be viable.

The man was arrested this morning and is being held at Newcastle West Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act

Gardai say that as part of a planned operation, they searched a house on Maiden Street at around 10pm last night and found the two devices.