Suspicious device at Melon Hill dealt with by controlled explosions

Roadblock at Silliott Hill was subsequently extended further towards Naas. Image: Tracey O'Dwyer.

8.25pm UPDATE: The road to Naas between the Link Park in Kilcullen and the Stephenstown cross roads has just been reopened following an alert over a possible explosive threat, writes Brian Byrne. The Army EOD unit carried out two controlled explosions on an item at Brownstown, just beyond the Melon Hill Road junction and near the derelict 18th century Brownstown House. It's understood that the suspicious object was an old cannon ball.

The alert was raised earlier today by two young men who came across a suspicious device and notified the gardai.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Army Ordnance Corps, who deal with all such issues in the state, were on site since mid-afternoon. They assessed the situation as potentially dangerous, and the original Garda cordon was extended.

Several time-frames for the reopening of the road passed this evening before the road was reopened.

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