This morning's 'bomb threat' in Rathangan turned out to be a tractor part with wires sticking out

This morning's bomb scare in Rathangan turned out to be more of an agricultural issue rather than a matter for the Department of Defence after it was confirmed that the device at the centre of the drama was a piece of machinery that most likely fell from a tractor driving by.

A local postman found the item -which had wires sticking out of it- shortly after 7am and reported the suspect device. The item reportedly resembled a pipe bomb in looks. A garda spokesperson subsequently confirmed to KildareNow that the item was actually a pin from a tractor.

Following the proper procedures, Gardaí closed off the centre of the town from the post office on Bridge Street up to a section of New Street. Numerous local residents were also evacuated from their homes as a precautionary measure.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit arrived at the scene at around 8am and inspected the object and soon declared that it was of no viable threat. Their operation took around 90 minutes and the town was eventually fully accessible after 10am.

It was the second time that the Army Bomb Disposal Unit was called to Kildare in eight days. They made safe three viable devices that were left in a BMW jeep near the Bundle of Sticks roundabout last Thursday February 9.