Gardaí have started a criminal investigation following an explosion at a homeless hostel in Dublin yesterday.
A man in his 30s from Lithuania died after an improvised explosive device detonated in his room at Depaul's homeless hostel on Little Britain Street in Dublin's north inner city.
The man was the only person in the room at the time and the device was in the room with him when it exploded.
Emergency services attended the hostel, located off Capel Street, following reports of a blast inside shortly after 3pm.
There was no evidence of an attack or that the device had been thrown into the building.
There were 73 other residents at the hostel at the time, none of whom were injured. They were later taken to alternative accommodation for the night.
Residents had reported hearing a bang and then seeing smoke before they were evacuated.
Depaul described the explosion as an isolated incident, and has said that is "shocked and saddened" following it.
Gardaí are trying to establish how the man came to have the device and for what purpose.
A post-mortem examination on the body is due to be carried out by the State Pathologist later today. A forensic investigation is continuing at the scene.
A Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team carried out a controlled explosion at the scene last night.
A Defence Forces spokesperson said this was conducted "in order to make the scene safe".
That operation concluded shortly after midnight.
A wide cordon and traffic diversions remain in place.
'Relief and pride'
Meanwhile, Depaul Ireland chief executive David Carroll said he has a "great degree of relief and pride" at how staff and service users responded after the explosion.
Mr Carroll said the building was evacuated within two to three minutes.
"We had people on walking frames who were evacuated from the building," he said.
He said he does not have any details about how the explosion occurred and would not be revealing details about the man who died.
"We're hoping to get back into the building as soon as possible," he told RTÉ's News At One programme.
He said that damage was confined to one room, but hopes to return to the building soon.
"That's probably one of our main objectives at the moment," he added.
"Our main objective really is to kind of support those individuals until we can get back in. They are all dispersed throughout temporary accommodation right through the city.
"We've set up an incident management centre within our central office and Dublin city centre to be able to support those individuals over the weekend."
Mr Carroll added: "I mean, last night it was remarkable that we are able to find beds for everybody last night.
"What we're focusing on at the moment is making sure everybody has their medication, making sure everybody has access to medical self-services and obviously, welfare emergency payments because people left money and possessions behind.
"So our Little Britain Street team will be supporting people right through that accommodation throughout the weekend until we can get back into the building."
It is understood that gardaí have ruled out the blast being caused by a gas leak or gas heater, and are examining what is in the room.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact the Bridewell Garda Station on 01-6668200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
With additional reporting from PA
