A trainee barrister accused of driving a car containing a significant explosive device towards the Northern Ireland border has been remanded in custody. Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, appeared via video link at Monaghan District Court from the Dochas Centre women's prison in Dublin on Monday.
Sullivan was charged with possession of explosives after Irish police, known as gardai, stopped a vehicle in Carrickmacross, close to the border, two days prior. Authorities made what Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described as an "extremely significant seizure" of an explosive device from the car, which they stated had the potential to cause substantial damage.
During a search of the vehicle, a bag was discovered containing Semtex plastic explosive and a detonator. The device is understood to be the most sophisticated bomb seized by police since the Troubles. Sullivan, of Clane in County Kildare, was arrested following the discovery.
Her defense solicitor argued that Sullivan had been asked to transport a bag to the north and was unaware of its contents, claiming she had been "manipulated." The solicitor also informed the court that Sullivan has a "life-limiting" health condition requiring daily medication and that her parents would ensure she adhered to any bail conditions.
At a special sitting of Trim District Court on Friday, Sullivan had been granted bail with a €15,000 independent surety, surrender of her passport, an approved address, a curfew, and daily sign-ins to a garda station. Gardai also requested a condition prohibiting contact with members of the Saoradh political party or the New IRA.
However, at Monaghan District Court on Monday, the judge noted that Sullivan's defense lawyer was not present and that an application to approve the surety had not been received. A Garda officer indicated that inquiries into the legal guarantee were ongoing. Consequently, Sullivan was remanded with consent to bail.
Sullivan is next scheduled to appear before Monaghan District Court on August 7. This development follows the arrest of Simon O'Donovan, an Irish museum employee, who appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Saturday on the same charge of possessing explosives. His bail application was refused due to alleged links to the New IRA. O'Donovan, who is representing himself, is alleged to have stored the device at Collins Barracks National Museum and stated that the refusal of his bail was "unfair."