By Cathal Ryan
Copyright irishmirror
A package containing suspected anthrax was allegedly sent to the Iona Institute in Dublin on Tuesday.
Iona Institute CEO David Quinn posted on social media, alerting followers that a package containing white powder, allegedly anthrax, had been sent to him. The white powder was sent in a piece of paper which read “Happy Anthrax, Mr David Quinn, B**ch O’Brien”.
Gardai cordoned off Merrion Square in Dublin City Centre on Tuesday evening, which was closed to traffic and pedestrians for a period of time. It has now reopened. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit from the Defence Forces is on the scene.
Gardaí have yet to confirm what the substance is.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí were alerted to a suspicious package at a premises on Merrion Square, Dublin 2 earlier this afternoon. A cordon has been put in place around the area and the services of the army EOD team requested.”
Founded in 2006, the Iona Institute promotes “the advancement and promotion of the Christian religion, its social and moral values, and the doing of all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of that object.”
A Defence Forces spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: “Bomb disposal experts from the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Síochána in the vicinity of Merrion Square at 1545hrs.
“The EOD Team handed back over to An Garda Síochána having made the scene safe at 1835hrs and returned to barracks. This operation has now concluded.”
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