THE ARMY BOMB disposal unit has been dispatched to an An Port delivery centre in Portlaoise after a suspicious item was found in a package there this afternoon.

Customs staff at the centre in the Clonminam Industrial Estate discovered the item in a package earlier this afternoon.

The centre was immediately evacuated and the Defence Forces notified.

An explosive ordnance disposal team has been dispatched to deal with the package.

An Post said it was trying to divert all letters and parcel mail to centres in Dublin and Athlone to avoid any delivery delays, but that in some cases it might not be possible to avoid a delay to incoming and outgoing letters and parcels for delivery anywhere in the world.

Extra vehicles are being deployed to try and assist the movement of postal items between the various mailing centres.

An An Post spokeswoman said staff would work through the night to try and minimise the impact that the interruption would have.

Affected customers can follow the @Postvox Twitter account for updates on the disruptions.