Ireland is witnessing a new spate of bomb attacks as gang wars and feuds escalate, with seven such attacks so far in 2011 in comparison to six in 2010.

Army bomb disposal teams in Ireland are reporting a greater range of explosive weapon, as well as traditional weapons such as pipe bombs, grenades and rocket launchers.

The Defence Forces Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) experienced an exceptional period last week following the discovery of three viable homemade devices.

The three discoveries were made in west Dublin, which is home to several gang feuds.

Last Wednesday night, the EOD team diffused two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a park in Finglas, in north-west Dublin.

Also on Wednesday night, army experts made safe a device outside a house in Ballyfermot, south-west Dublin.

"There has been a steady increase in callouts and viable IEDs to be dealt with since 2007," said a defence forces’ spokesman told the Irish Examiner.

"The key difference between 2009 and 2010 is the breadth of devices dealt with. In 2010 army bomb disposal teams dealt with a wide range including rocket propelled grenades, improvised mortars, explosive and component finds and viable IEDs."

Irish police are becoming increasingly concerned about the range and  increase in the attacks.