Merrion Square North reopens after suspicious package sent to Iona Institute deemed safe

Gardaí requested the services of the Army Bomb Squad after they were alerted to the suspicious package this afternoon.

LAST UPDATE | 16 Sep 2025

THE ARMY BOMB Squad has deemed a suspicious package that was sent to the Iona Institute on Merrion Square North safe this evening.

Gardaí were alerted to the suspicious package at the premises shortly before 2pm this afternoon.

They subsequently requested the services of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit from the Defence Forces. They responded shortly before 4pm and the street was closed to traffic and pedestrians.

It came after columnist David Quinn, the founder of the Christian think tank, shared a photo on X and wrote: “Received in the post today. Nice.”

The photo showed a piece of paper with the words ‘Happy Anthrax’ written on it, along with Quinn’s name and a disparaging reference to Breda O’Brien, who is also a member of the Iona Institute. White powder could be seen on top of the paper.

Received in the post today. Nice. pic.twitter.com/PsEfUTV4OY
— David Quinn (@DavQuinn) September 16, 2025

Anthrax is a serious disease that is usually caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria. It gained notoriety after a spate of US mail attacks in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in New York killed five people.

This evening, a garda spokesperson said the package was subsequently deemed safe and the street has since reopened.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said they made the scene safe at 6.35pm

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.