“the incident will be dealt with through diplomatic channels.”

Here’s an intriguing breaking story on the RTÉ News website

A 49-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of explosive material in a flat on Dorset Street in Dublin. RTÉ News has learned that the commercial explosive was illegally brought into the country as part of a security operation by another country. It is understood the man and the explosives ended up in Ireland as part of a test exercise which appears to have gone wrong. Gardaí received a phone call this morning from a security service abroad, telling them that a man was in a flat in Dorset St with around 100g of commercial explosive.

Adds From the updated RTÉ report

It is understood the explosive was one of eight pieces of contraband planted by the authorities in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers at Bratislava Airport in Slovakia last weekend as part of a test of security procedures. Seven were detected by airport security, but the eighth – 90g of research development explosive or RDX – was put in the luggage of a Slovakian electrician who lives and works in Dublin. The 49-year-old unwittingly brought the material to Dublin when he returned from Christmas holidays.

And a detailed iol report has the political reaction.

The Slovakian Embassy in Dublin declined to comment but Slovakian deputy prime minister Robert Kallinak has conveyed his profound regret to [Irish Justice Minister] Mr Ahern.

Pete Baker