Saturday 31 October 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. 21463Suspicious device · Co. Galway · 14 Apr 2023

Suspicious device found near GAA pitch in Galway city

A suspicious device was found on Friday 14 April 2023, at 5pm, near a GAA pitch on the westside of Galway city, where young children were playing. A local found it and reported it to the local garda station. Galway Beo reported on 18 April 2023 that gardaí were aware of a second suspicious device, found separately near the same pitch, and that Army EOD had dealt with another device at a residence in Rahoon days earlier. No arrests or charges have been reported, and Galway Beo said it had contacted gardaí for further information.

  1. Reported18 Apr
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The device included a switch, wires, a casing and a battery.
Where
  • The device was lying on the grass near a GAA pitch on the westside of Galway city.
  • One source says the device was hiding in high grass over a wall near the GAA pitch where young children were playing.
When
The device was found at 5pm on a Friday evening, which was 14 April 2023.
Investigation
  • A local person discovered the device and it was reported to the local garda station.
  • Gardaí in Galway are understood to be aware of a second suspicious device found near the same pitch.
  • Galway Beo contacted gardaí for further information on the find.
Other details
Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal was called days earlier to deal with a separate suspicious device at a residence in Rahoon.
Charges
No arrests or charges have been reported in connection with the device.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe device was lying on the grass near a GAA pitch on the westside of Galway city. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereThe device was hiding in high grass over a wall near a GAA pitch where young kids were playing. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenThe device was found at 5pm on a Friday evening. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationThe device was reported to the local garda station. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGalway gardai are understood to be aware of the second suspicious device. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGalway Beo has contacted gardaí for further information on the find. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe device included what looked like a switch, wires, casing and a battery. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Apr2023
    Reportedgalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Galway gardai aware of second suspicious device found near where kids playing

    Reports a second suspicious device found near a GAA pitch on Galway's westside, separate from the Army EOD call-out at a residence in Rahoon. The article also mentions a shooting at Athenry and a pipebomb at Moycullen, which are not part of this incident.