An improvised device has exploded in a residential area of Dunlavin in Co Wicklow.

The blast damaged two vehicles and the area was sealed off.

The bomb squad was called in to carry out post-blast analysis.

The team arrived on scene at 5.50am this morning, carried out a search and confirmed the scene was safe to allow Gardai to start their technical examination.

The scene was declared safe at 7 a.m.

Local Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry O'Neill told East Coast FM that locals are stunned by the incident.

“Well I’ve just been talking to people in the estate there this morning and the people of Dunlavin are in shock here.

“It was 1.20am this morning when the explosion went off, it woke to people in the estate there,” Mr O’Neill said.

“It was a very very loud bang, it is a quiet little area of Wicklow, a quiet little town and for this to happen it is very frightening.”