A device discovered in Offaly on Friday has been declared a viable bomb.

The army bomb disposal team was called to Tullamore and a number of houses evacuated around the Sragh industrial estate.

The team arrived on scene and carried out an assessment. The area was declared safe at 5.20pm on Friday.

An army spokesperson says the device was designed to cause harm.

All evidence will now be handed over the gardaí for further investigations.