LTB 189/19 - Suspect Packages & Small, Viable Improvised Explosive Devices

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LTB 189/19 - Suspect Packages & Small, Viable Improvised Explosive Devices

No. 189/2019

26 March 2019

Our Ref: C4/19

To: All Branches



Dear Colleagues,

Re: Suspect Packages & Small, Viable Improvised Explosive Devices:

This is to update Branches further to LTBs 139/2019, 144/19 and 155/19, attached to which were copies of the Royal Mail Central Postal Control, Security Urgent Update Action Flash/Briefs.

As previously advised, the Police advised Royal Mail that a coded message from the “Real IRA” had been received, claiming responsibility for sending five packages containing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to addresses in the UK mainland with three addressed to commercial addresses and two to military addresses.

As reported in LTB 155/19, four of the suspect package IEDs had been accounted for and dealt with, being those sent to Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, Waterloo Station and the Officer Training Corp, Glasgow University. The fifth IED was at that time outstanding and possibly in the mail pipeline, yet to be located or had possibly been delivered and either discarded, left unopened or returned to sender by the addressee.

I’m pleased to report that the fifth and final missing packet which was sent from the Republic of Ireland by a group claiming to be the ‘Real IRA’ has been located in the ‘An Post’ National Returns Centre in Limerick, ROI. It appears that the address did not exist and it was returned as undeliverable.‎ The packet was made safe and Royal Mail Security are now liaising with the UK and ROI Police services and ‘An Post’, assisting with the investigation and lines of enquiry. It is hoped that this is the end of this current campaign.

Royal Mail Security and Police have thanked the Union and its Postal members for their diligence and support in this matter.

Thanks to all Branch Officials and Reps for your attention and support.

Yours sincerely



Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer