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Bomb alert on Prince Charles visit

Prince met President Mary McAleese in Dublin

Police confirmed that Dublin Castle had been evacuated on Thursday afternoon but a visit there was not on the prince's itinerary.

He had earlier met the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, at Government Buildings in Merrion Square, several miles away from the castle.

The prince is visiting the Republic of Ireland on a two-day trip, which is his second official visit to the country.

He was last in the Irish Republic seven years ago.

Earlier on Thursday, he had lunch with the Irish President, Mary McAleese at her official residence, Aras an Uachtarain.

The British Ambassador to Ireland, Colonel Harvey also attended the lunch.

When asked how the Queen Mother was, he said: "She's OK, she's OK. She's very resilient. She's alright, thank you."

Asked if the Queen would be visiting Ireland next time, the prince said: "I hope so."

Last week the prince made a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

He visited Queen's University in Belfast and officially reopened a refurbished section of the historic Lanyon Building.

It was the prince's 13th visit to Northern Ireland.

The prince is expected to fly to London on Friday to attend the funeral of his aunt, Princess Margaret.