A trainee barrister was arrested near the Northern Ireland border and charged with possession of explosives after Irish police seized what they called an 'extremely significant' device, described as a sophisticated car bomb. Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, was stopped by the Garda's Special Detective Unit on an intelligence-led operation on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.
Sullivan, from Clane, Co Kildare, appeared before Trim District Court and was granted bail on Friday. Her solicitor, Gavin Booth, told the court that Sullivan had previously been a member of a political group and had spent time in Syria. He added that she had been asked to transport a bag whose contents she was unaware of and had been "manipulated."
Booth also stated that Sullivan had stepped away from politics to focus on her legal studies. She is a law graduate from ATU Donegal. Her parents are reportedly devastated by the events.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed the seizure of an explosive device, stating it was "not just the seizure of components or pieces" but a constructed device that could have "potentially caused significant damage." He noted that the operation was not random and was based on intelligence.
Kelly also commented on the ongoing threat from dissident republicans who do not agree with the Good Friday Agreement, describing them as a "small minority of radicalised republicans." He affirmed close cooperation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and UK intelligence services to address this threat.
Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan called the seizure "very worrying." PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck expressed a "joint commitment" from police on both sides of the border to tackle the dissident republican terror threat.
Also arrested in connection with the investigation was a man in his 40s, who Irish news outlets reported was a suspected member of the New IRA's Dublin branch. He remained in Garda custody on Friday night.
Sullivan was granted bail on the condition of a €15,000 (£12,800) independent surety, surrender of her passport, and adherence to a strict curfew. Carrickmacross is approximately six miles from the border with Northern Ireland. Sporadic attacks by militant groups, including attempted car bombings, continue in Northern Ireland nearly three decades after a peace accord largely ended sectarian violence.