Police officials in Ireland believe that a gangland bomber blew himself up after he forgot about the clocks changing for summer time while he was planting a device underneath a car in Ireland last weekend.
The police are waiting to interview a man who, it is suspected, was severely injured after the bomb he was planting went off unexpectedly.
The suspected bomber was seen fleeing the area in Dublin with "blood dripping down his face" according to witness reports on the street.
The police have suggested that the suspect accidently injured himself in the explosion because he forgot to set his watch forward on the morning of the attack.
"This certainly was a high-grade explosive used in this bomb. It wasn't garbage stuff. It would appear the bomber got his timings wrong," a police source told the Mirror.
“It would appear the bomber got his timings wrong.
“It could be a case where he didn’t put his watch forward on Sunday [at 1am] and the timer went off too soon.
“However, it is more likely he didn’t realise just how powerful the explosives would be.
“If anyone had been in the car or walking near it at the time then they would have been killed.”
The Volvo SUV was completely destroyed in the blast while a house beside the vehicle had its doors and windows blown off.
“His entire face was covered in what I thought was blood, but now know were severe burns,” a witness told the Irish Examiner. “He was running down the street with his hands up to his face screaming ‘please help me, please help me.’ ”
Dave Taylor of the police press office in Ireland added they are appealing for anyone who may have collected the suspect to contact them.
He said: “It was a very extensive explosion and it was a very frightening experience for the people on Long Lane.
"The consequences could have been very, very serious. Witnesses have reported that a man was seen fleeing the scene soon after the explosion heading towards the New Street and Clanbrassil Street area of Dublin.
“As a result of our enquiries we are making an appeal for that man to come forward. We believe he may have significant injuries as a result of this incident and we believe he might require urgent medical attention.
“We are requiring that person to come forward to help us.
“We are appealing for anyone who might have picked up a person in the New Street and Clanbrassil Street area shortly after 11pm who was quite obviously suffering to come forward.
“It is quite obvious that the car was the object of this attack.
“We are investigating all the circumstances surrounding that at the moment. It’s very early in the investigation to determine the reason behind it.”
Here is some footage from the explosion captured by an eye witness
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