5-Year-Old Who Picked Up Pipe Bomb In 'Serious But Stable' Condition

A bicycle helmet saved a young schoolboy, who lost part of his hand, from serious head injury when a pipe bomb exploded after he picked it up yesterday morning.

Gardai said that five-year-old PJ Duffy, of Sycamore Drive, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, could have lost his life in the savage and indiscriminate attack.

The youngster was first out of the door of his home yesterday because he was so excited about going on a bicycle ride with his classmates.

He suffered serious injuries to both hands. It is understood he has injuries to seven fingers and could lose a number of them, while he also sustained blast injuries to his face and legs after picking up the explosive device he found on his doorstep.

Gardai revealed they had no evidence indicating why attackers might have singled out the boy’s home.

They said one theory under investigation was that the bomber had mistakenly selected the wrong house.

The young boys condition has been described as "serious but stable" and he remained under sedation last night.

Members of the Garda technical bureau took the remains of the device away for forensic examination.

(H)