Law Student Charged Over Viable Bomb in Car, Held on €15,000 Bail Terms

Q: How close was the intercepted Monaghan car bomb to reaching its suspected target in Northern Ireland?

It appears the bomb was intercepted very near the border, before it entered Northern Ireland, but authorities have not disclosed an exact distance or identified a confirmed target. The car was stopped on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, a route that leads directly toward the border. Carrickmacross is only a short drive from Northern Ireland, so the device was likely intercepted in the final stage of its journey. Gardaí said they believed it was being transported across the border, and security sources indicated the likely intended target was a police station in Northern Ireland. What is clear is that the device was not just being moved in parts. Court evidence and police statements said it was a viable, fully assembled explosive containing a timing power unit, a detonator and suspected Semtex or other military-grade explosive. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described it as an “extremely significant” bomb capable of causing serious damage. So while the precise remaining distance is not public, the available evidence suggests the bomb was close to crossing into Northern Ireland and potentially close to being deployed.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 24

25-year-old Isobella Perrie Sullivan was remanded in custody after appearing at a special sitting of Trim District Court charged with possessing explosives found in a car in County Monaghan.
Gardaí intercepted the vehicle on the N2 near Carrickmacross on Wednesday during an operation targeting dissident republican activity, believing the bomb was to be driven across the border into Northern Ireland.
A Garda Special Detective Unit officer told the court the device was in a bag in the back of the car and contained a timing power unit, a detonator and suspected Semtex.
Irish Defence Forces declared the device a viable bomb, and the judge said Sullivan could get bail only with a €15,000 independent surety, passport surrender, curfew and daily reporting.