Bomb squad evacuates LGBT charity over suspicious package
Bomb disposal experts have evacuated the office of an LGBT charity – after they were sent a suspicious package.
Staff at Irish LGBT charity GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) alerted police after they received a package this morning.
It is believed that staff opened a package to find a blue powder, with a note that read ‘goodbye’.
Emergency services treated the incident as a potential threat, and dispatched a number of specialist teams to the building on Upper Exchange Street, Dublin.
The charity tweeted pictures throughout the response. Six fire engines and a bomb disposal team are currently on site.
Tiernan Brady of GLEN told TheJournal.ie: “The intent was to terrorise – no matter what was in the envelope.
“We’ve never had this before and the goal was to scare us and inflict terror.”
Staff that were inside the building, but they reassured: “We are all safe. Leaving the professionals to it!”
GLEN is one of Ireland’s largest gay rights groups, and was instrumental in calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in last month’s same-sex marriage referendum.
UPDATE 14:00: Staff are currently being evacuated from the building.
UPDATE 14:14: Bomb experts are currently testing the substance.
UPDATE 14:55: The all-clear has been given, after experts declared the substance non-toxic.
