Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0490Death by explosion · Co. Dublin

Inquest records narrative verdict in Dublin death by explosion

A Lithuanian man known as Igor Dmitrov, believed to be aged 34 or 38, died in January 2024 when a pipe bomb he had made exploded in his room at the Depaul homeless accommodation centre on Little Britain Street in Dublin's north inner city. Gardaí ruled out any attack on the victim and suspect the man blew himself up while tinkering with or putting together the homemade explosive device, which was placed on his bed where a pillow would be expected or underneath his bed. The criminal investigation, led by detectives at Bridewell Garda station, examined the device's components, the man's phone and mental health history, and liaised with Lithuanian authorities. A coroner's inquest in July 2026 recorded a narrative verdict and confirmed the man's identity could not be established, as the passport he had used to enter Ireland in 2006 was found to be fake.

  1. Reported19 Jan
    3 reports
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A pipe bomb exploded in a man's room at a homeless accommodation centre, killing him with traumatic blunt force injuries.
Where
The explosion occurred at the Depaul supported temporary accommodation centre on Little Britain Street in Dublin's north inner city.
When
The explosion occurred at about 3.15pm on a Thursday in January 2024.
Cause
Gardaí ruled out any attack on the victim and suspect the man blew himself up while tinkering with or putting together the homemade explosives, though it was unclear whether he had built the device or was storing it.
Weapon
The device was a pipe bomb with bolts bought online, a fuse similar to one found in fireworks, and cap gun caps, placed on his bed where a pillow would be expected or underneath his bed.
Investigation
  • Detectives at Bridewell Garda station are carrying out a criminal investigation into the origins of the device, examining the man's phone and mental health history, and liaising with Lithuanian authorities.
  • Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
In court
A narrative verdict was recorded at the coroner's inquest in July 2026, which confirmed the man's identity could not be established.
Other details
  • The man, known as Igor Dmitrov, presented himself as a Lithuanian born on June 12th, 1985, and arrived in Ireland in late 2006 on a passport later found to be fake.
  • The man had substance abuse issues from age 13 and suffered from schizophrenia; a doctor said he did not appear to be suicidal before his death.
  • No one else was injured and the explosion was confined to one room; the Defence Forces EOD team carried out a controlled explosion on the remains of the device.
46 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí have launched a criminal probe after an explosive device detonated in a man's room. (extra.ie)
  • whatThe man was the only person in the room when the explosion occurred. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA homeless man died in a Depaul homeless shelter in Dublin's Little Britain Street. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man was killed when a pipe bomb he had made exploded in his room in a Dublin homeless hostel. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was believed to have been aged 34 when he died. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man died of traumatic blunt force injuries following the explosion of a device next to his head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe pipe bomb was placed on his bed where a pillow would be expected. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe bolts used at the ends of the bomb had been bought online. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA fuse similar to one found in fireworks was used in the bomb. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCap gun caps were also found in the room. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe room was destroyed by the explosion and the fire it caused. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe explosion occurred at a homeless accommodation centre on Little Britain Street in Dublin's north inner city. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe device was understood to have been underneath the man's bed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe explosion occurred at about 3.15pm on a Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe explosion happened just after 3.15pm on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe man died in January 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe arrived in Ireland in late 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí have ruled out any attack on the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeIt was unclear whether the man had built the device or was storing it, having acquired it from criminals in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí suspect the man blew himself up after tinkering with or putting together homemade explosives. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponAn improvised explosive device detonated in the man's room. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe device was a pipe bomb-like device. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe matter is being treated as a criminal investigation. (extra.ie)
  • investigationGardaí believe the man owned the device. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDetectives at Bridewell Garda station are carrying out the criminal investigation into the origins of the device. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are liaising with authorities in Lithuania. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are examining the man's phone, including internet and search history. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating the man's mental health history. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are examining whether the device was accidentally or deliberately blown up by the man. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating what, if any, motive the man had. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Defence Forces EOD team was called to the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHis phone was analysed and revealed he had been in touch with one man based in Germany. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationEfforts to contact a woman said to be the sister of the deceased were unsuccessful. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA narrative verdict was recorded at the inquest. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Depaul facility was evacuated immediately after the explosion. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo one else was injured and the explosion was confined to one room. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Defence Forces' bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion on the remains of the device. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA gas heater was initially suspected but was ruled out. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man was believed to have a history of mental health issues. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNobody else was injured in the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe presented himself as Igor Dmitrov, a Lithuanian born on June 12th, 1985. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe dead man had substance abuse issues from the age of 13. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe dead man suffered from schizophrenia. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDr Joanne Fenton said Dmitrov did not appear to be suicidal during his interactions with medical staff before his death. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Mystery surrounds identity of man killed by his own pipe bomb in Dublin hostel

    Coroner's inquest findings confirming the man's identity cannot be established, details of the pipe bomb construction, and his mental health history.

    victim, Igor Dmitrov, 34, maleIgor Dmitrov
  2. 20 Jan2024
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai probing Dublin blast suspect man accidently blew himself up making bomb

    Sources-based report that gardaí suspect the man blew himself up while tinkering with homemade explosives. Gardaí say they are not looking for anyone else. The article names the man as Igor Dmitrov.

    victim, Igor Dmitrov, 38, male, Lithuanian, non-irishIgor Dmitrov
  3. 20 Jan2024
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí believe man killed in homeless centre explosion owned bomb that detonated

    Gardaí believe the man who died owned the bomb and have ruled out an attack on him. The article adds the explosion site, the man's age, nationality and the Lithuanian liaison, the evacuation of 71 residents, and the Defence Forces' controlled explosion.

    victim, 30s, male, non-irish (judged from name)
  4. 19 Jan2024
    Reportedextra.ie, first report
    Gardaí launch criminal probe after explosive device detonated in man's room

    Only the headline is usable. The article body is unrendered template markup with no details of the incident, location, date or people.