Published Monday, 29 March 2010
A number of families were evacuated as Irish Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion on what was described as a viable device.
The pipebomb was discovered at the front door of the Yutopia store on Pearse Road at 1am on Monday morning.
"It's happened in Sligo, in Derry and now it's come to Letterkenny", Deputy Mayor, Jimmy Harte, told UTV.
"If it was done by vigilantes then they don't have any remit in Donegal or any jurisdiction. I'm very worried this is a trend that could get out of hand. And if people want to take the law into their own hands then I'm sure they'll suffer the consequences".
The area was declared safe at 6.20am and the store later opened for business, although management was not available for comment.
A Defence Forces spokesman said 16 viable devices have been dealt with so far this year.
The pipebomb is the latest in a series of incidents at head shops in the Republic of Ireland, which have caused controversy for their sale of legal highs.
Earlier this month the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo was damaged by fire and two viable improvised explosive devices were discovered outside head shops in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Two separate Dublin head shops were set ablaze in suspected arson attacks last month.
Bomb disposal experts were called to a second incident in Bridgend, close to the border with Northern Ireland, following reports a hijacked vehicle had been abandoned. It was later declared a hoax.
No organisations have claimed responsibilities for the incidents.