THE NUMBER OF viable IEDs recorded by Irish experts over the last five years has quadrupled.

Figures shown to TheJournal.ie by the Defence Forces show that 94 viable IEDs were dealt with this year so far, while just 21 were recorded during 2008.

Of the 94 viable IEDs this year, 51 were callouts in Dublin County.

Callouts to the Defence Forces this year totalled 202, with 112 of those located within the Dublin region, while 18 post-blast examinations were conducted.

In 2011 there were:

• 237 callouts in total
• 70 viable IEDs
• 15 post-blast examinations conducted
• 133 Dublin-region callouts

In 2010:

• 193 callouts in total
• 53 viable IEDs
• 6 post-blast examinations conducted
• 84 Dublin-region callouts

In 2009:

• 196 callouts in total
• 63 viable IEDs
• 10 post-blast examinations conducted
• 126 (est*) Dublin-region callouts

In 2008:

• 181 callouts in total
• 21 viable IEDs
• 3 post-blast examinations conducted
• 102 (est*) Dublin-region callouts

*(est) County details are not noted in data for 2009 and 2008. Figures are from callouts conducted by EOD Team in the Dublin region.

A Garda spokesman declined to comment on the possible reasons behind the rise in viable IEDs, but said that A Garda Síochána’s primary responsibility was the safety of the public.

“We would advise members of the public if they see suspicious devices not to interfere with the device, to immediately leave the area and contact the Gardaí,” he said.

Read: Viable explosive device found in Finglas