An alarm was triggered in downtown Dublin when an improvised explosive device was discovered in an office building, a short distance from where European and other international leaders had dined the previous day, on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit held in the Irish capital.
According to Reuters, bomb disposal experts from the Irish Army were called to the scene on Friday (November 13) and managed to defuse the device, which authorities described as crude but functional and capable of exploding.
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According to the Irish police, authorities were mobilized on Friday afternoon following a report of a suspicious object in an office building on Merrion Square in central Dublin.
Irish police discover explosive device near where world leaders dined day earlier https://t.co/5BAJKNqUVY
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 13, 2026
On Thursday evening, an official dinner had been held in the same square—but on the opposite side—for the leaders participating in the European Political Community Summit, which includes representatives from both European Union member states and non-EU European countries.
Following an initial assessment of the situation by the police, the assistance of the Irish Armed Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was requested.
“Based on the Garda’s initial assessment, the Armed Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene. The EOD team neutralized an improvised but functional explosive device,” the police said in a statement.
A "crude but viable" device discovered in an office at Dublin’s Merrion Square has been made safe by the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. Gardaí were alerted shortly after 2.20pm, with a cordon established around the scene. An investigation is underway.
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) November 13, 2026More on Virgin Media PLAY https://t.co/BldrlcFSLO
Authorities clarified that an investigation into the incident is underway, though they did not specify when they believe the device was planted or provide further details about its characteristics.
Macron, Bernam, and Carney had dined at the location
The incident takes on particular significance given the presence of dozens of leaders in Dublin for the two-day European Political Community Summit.
Thursday’s official dinner, held at the National Gallery of Ireland, was attended by, among others, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had been invited to the event.
The National Gallery of Ireland is located in the Merrion Square area, near the building where the explosive device was found.
Strict security measures had been put in place for the dinner, with authorities establishing a security perimeter around the venue and closing roads in the wider area of the square.
The largest security operation in the history of the Irish police
According to Irish authorities, the two-day summit was the largest security operation ever carried out by the country’s police force.
Extensive measures were implemented to protect foreign leaders and their delegations, including traffic restrictions and an increased police presence in areas of central Dublin.
Despite these measures, the explosive device was discovered the day after the official dinner, a short distance from the National Gallery.
It has not yet been clarified whether its placement is linked to the international summit or the leaders’ presence in the Irish capital.
Zelenskyy was in Dublin but did not attend the dinner
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also participated in the European Political Community Summit, though he did not attend Thursday’s dinner.
While the other leaders were at the National Gallery, the Ukrainian president was meeting on the outskirts of Dublin with U.S. President’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Whitecoff, as part of diplomatic efforts regarding the war in Ukraine.
The meeting continued on Friday with an informal gathering of European Union leaders at a different location, approximately 1.5 kilometers from where the explosive device was found.
Discussions focused on European security issues and developments in the negotiations regarding Ukraine.
Irish police are continuing their investigation into the origin of the device, the circumstances of its placement, and the individuals who may be involved in the case. At this time, no arrests have been announced, nor has any connection between the incident and the summit been established.
Source: Proto Thema
