AN POST HAS said there may be delays in the processing of post after a suspicious device was found in its Mails Centre in Portlaoise today.

The Army Bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the delivery centre after a suspicious item was found in a package there this afternoon.

This evening, An Post said it will work through the night to process letters and parcels but that some disruption is unavoidable due to lost processing time.

An Post said it regrets to advise customers that due to the evacuation of its Mails Centre and National Parcel Hub in Portlaoise earlier today, there may be some delays in the processing of incoming and outgoing, national and international letters and parcels.

After Customs staff based at An Post’s mails centre in Portlaoise’s Clonminem Industrial Estate discovered a suspect item in a package, the centre was immediately evacuated.

Following the involvement of the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, a suspect device was removed this evening.

Mail processing operations have been allowed to resume at the centre, but due to the amount of work time lost already, the amount of mail being processed tonight for delivery tomorrow will be affected.

Updates will be provided on the official website and Twitter account.

Read: Post services may be delayed because of suspect device in Portlaoise>