ARMY BOMB EXPERTS defused a viable explosive device outside a home in Drogheda, Co Louth this afternoon.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team arrived on the scene at 1.40pm after Gardaí raised the alarm when a suspect device was found outside a private residence in the Moneymore area of Drogheda.

According to a statement from the Defence Forces, once the object was identified as a viable Improvised Explosive Device (IED), a cordon and road closures were put in place, and a number of nearby houses had to be evacuated.

The homemade bomb was subsequently made safe at the scene without the need for a controlled explosion.

The area surrounding the house was finally declared safe at 2.20pm.

Army experts are handing over the device to the Gardaí to help with their investigation into the incident.

This is the 29th viable IED made safe in Ireland in 2014.