A BOMB has been defused near Dublin today just hours before the Queen embarks on an historic trip to the Irish Republic.

Bomb disposal experts have made safe a “viable” improvised explosive device in Maynooth near Dublin, the Irish Army has announced.

The device was found in the luggage compartment of a bus on the outskirts of Maynooth, Co Kildare. A controlled explosion was carried out and the device made safe by the Irish army in the early hours of this morning.

An army spokesman said: “An army bomb disposal team made safe a viable improvised explosive device overnight in Maynooth, Co Kildare.”

The team arrived on scene at 11.10pm last night, and the bomb was declared safe at 1.55am today. The remains of the device were handed over to the Irish police for investigation.

A massive security operation has been launched in Dublin ahead of the Queen’s arrival today. Police are patrolling the streets, parking is prohibited in many areas and large swathes of the city are being closed off as the threat level of a terrorist incident is high.

This comes after a dissident republican terror alert brought parts of London to a standstill yesterday.

The Foreign Office has today confirmed that the Queen’s visit will still go ahead.