A PIPE BOMB was made safe at a home in Ballycanew in Co Wexford this afternoon.

According to the Irish Independent, abuse survivor Fiona Doyle found the device under her car at about 9am today.

In a statement from the Defence Forces, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team was deployed to the scene at 12.15pm.

The device was confirmed as viable. It was made safe at the scene without the need for a controlled explosion. It has now been taken away for further examination.

A cordon and road closures were put in place for public safety and a number of nearby houses were evacuated.

The area was declared safe at 2pm.

Investigation 

Gardaí have now launched an investigation into the incident. Items of an evidential nature will be handed over to officers to assist them with their investigation.

Doyle told the Irish Independent that she could not believe such a thing had happened. She also said that both she and her husband were forced out of their home.

Fiona’s father Patrick O’Brien had his sentence extended in January after it was ruled that his original three year sentence was too lenient.

Speaking at the time she said, “I’m not a victim anymore, I’m now a survivor and that makes all the difference.”

Read: Fiona Doyle: There are women out there who facilitate the rape and abuse of their children>