The bomb squad has made safe a device found outside a house in Co. Monaghan this evening.

What is being described as a viable Improvised Explosive Device was found in the Drumlane area by a member of the public.

A number of homes were evacuated and a cordon was put in place.

Gardaí had requested the presence of the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, who made the device safe at the scene within 40 minutes of their arrival.

A number of items have been handed over to Gardaí.