A law student has been charged after police intercepted a car bomb near the Irish border.
Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, of Clane in Co Kildare, appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening.
Gardaí investigating the incident, which involved a suspected dissident republican bomb, arrested Ms Perrie Sullivan, who was the driver of the car.
In an intelligence-led swoop, members of the Garda’s Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle travelling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on Wednesday afternoon.
The Garda described the bomb seized from the vehicle as “extremely significant”. It is understood the device found contained suspected military-grade explosives.
Garda sources have described the bomb as “highly sophisticated” and “advanced”. Another suspect, a man aged in his 40s, remains in custody at a Garda station in the Dublin area.
A court hearing heard that during a search of her vehicle, a bag was discovered in the rear seat that contained Semtex and a detonator, the court heard, prompting the area to be evacuated and Ms Perrie Sullivan was arrested.
The court heard that Ms Perrie Sullivan was studying for a law degree and wanted to become a barrister.
Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence.
Defence solicitor Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, said his client had been asked to take a bag to the north, and had not been aware what was in it, adding she had been “manipulated”.
Judge Raymond Finnegan agreed to allow bail.
It came with a number of conditions, which included an independent €15,000 surety, that she surrenders her passport, stays at an address approved by Gardaí, has a mobile phone number on which to be available 24/7, to sign in every day at Naas Garda Station and a curfew of 9pm to 7am.
Garda commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed details of the operation as he spoke to media at a Garda graduation event in Co Tipperary on Friday morning.
“To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure,” he said. “So this was an explosive device.”
Commissioner Kelly added: “Any seizure of this nature is really concerning.
“However, we certainly know that there are a small minority of dissident republicans who did not agree with the Good Friday Agreement. They did not put weapons and explosives (out of use), they didn’t, you know, go through with the proper process in relation to decommissioning.
“So that is something that we continue to deal with.
“There’s a small minority of these individuals – I would describe them as radicalised republicans – and this is a threat that we’re going to continue to face for some time in An Garda Síochána.”
Ireland’s minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan described the seizure as “very worrying”.
“I think it evidences the fact that there is an ongoing threat in respect of dissident republican activity,” he said.
“But I also know that there’s been great cooperation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána and, I think, I suppose the developments recently and the work of An Garda Síochána indicate the benefits of having that close co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.”
PSNI assistant chief constable Davy Beck said police on both sides of the Irish border shared a “joint commitment” to tackle the dissident republican terror threat.
“I very much welcome this significant seizure and the arrests made by our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, with whom we work very closely on a daily basis,” he said.
Northern Ireland secretary Sir Chris Bryant commended the Garda for thwarting a potential attack.
“Intercepting a dangerous device like this undoubtedly saved lives and kept communities safe on both sides of the border,” he said. “Strong cross-border security co-operation remains as vital as ever.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the development as “chilling”.
The east Belfast MP questioned whether the Irish government needed to increase its focus on tackling dissident republicanism.
“All those involved in stopping this deserve enormous credit,” he said.
“Their actions may have prevented innocent families from suffering unimaginable tragedy.”
Sinn Féin Stormont assembly member Gerry Kelly described those responsible for the explosive device as “reckless”.
“Those responsible represent no one, are void of support and have nothing positive to offer our communities. Their actions are entirely reckless,” he said.
“Those involved should abandon their futile actions, leave the stage once and for all, and allow our communities to continue moving forward together in peace.”
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