The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has condemned the planting of a hoax device at the home of Sunday World crime editor Paul Williams this morning.
Residents of the south Dublin street where Mr Williams lives were evacuated after gardaí spotted a device underneath his car.
Mr McDowell has said he is being briefed on developments in the investigation, which is focusing on subversive elements including the INLA.
Crime writer to continue his work
Earlier, Mr Williams praised the gardaí involved in the case and said he would be continuing his work.
Mr Williams told RTÉ radio that CCTV at his house had captured images of a person involved in the planting of a hoax device under his car.
Gardaí have said they are determined to solve what they describe as a terribly sinister and serious development.
Two specialist units are helping local detectives with the investigation at this stage, and gardaí are focusing on subversive elements with criminal links, especially the INLA.
Meanwhile, Mr Williams and his family will receive round the clock protection from the gardaí.
More than 140 people were evacuated from 37 nearby homes during the alert and army bomb disposal experts subsequently carried out a controlled explosion.
The device, which contained a battery, wires, putty and a circuit board, turned out to be a hoax.
