Parcel bomb found at Irish depot linked to UK packages

Police believe an explosive device found in an Irish postal depot is linked to four others sent to locations in Great Britain. The latest package found in Limerick had been addressed to Charing Cross in London, in an apparent attempt to send it to the station.

Counter-terrorism police said on Friday night that it appears to be connected to those sent to other major transport hubs in the capital, as well as to Glasgow University, earlier this month.

The package found on Friday was in a similar white packaging and sent with the same stamps branded with a heart motif.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing said: Whilst it is still early, from the images we've seen and from speaking to our counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, it appears that the package found in Limerick is linked to those sent to London and Glasgow on March 5 and 6.

One line of inquiry is that the package found today in Limerick was returned there, having never reached the intended recipient in London.''

It was addressed to Charing Cross, The Strand'' with a postcode of WC2N 5HF, which is listed on the Network Rail website as being the station's.

A group calling itself the IRA claimed responsibility for the earlier packages and said a fifth had also been sent.

Referring to the claim, Mr Haydon said: Whilst that remains a line of inquiry, we continue to keep an open mind on who may be responsible and any potential motivation.

I must also stress that we continue to urge the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious packages and to report anything suspicious to police.''