A 25-year-old law student has appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court charged with possession of explosives after Gardaí intercepted a suspected bomb in a car near the Irish border.
Isobella Perrie Sullivan was stopped while driving on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, as part of an intelligence-led operation by the Garda Special Detective Unit.
The court heard that a bag found in the rear of the vehicle contained a timing power unit, a detonator and a substance believed to be Semtex.
The Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and determined that the device was viable.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the discovery as an “extremely significant” seizure and confirmed that it was a completed explosive device rather than a collection of separate components.
He warned that it could potentially have caused significant damage.
Gardaí believe the case is connected to dissident republican activity and are working with the PSNI and UK intelligence services as they investigate the intended target.
Authorities are also examining whether there may be any connection to recent attacks on PSNI stations in Lurgan and Dunmurry, although no such link has been established.
The defence told the court that Ms Perrie Sullivan had been asked to transport a bag north and did not know what it contained.
She was granted bail subject to strict conditions.
The allegations remain before the courts, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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