A 25-year-old woman has been charged after Irish authorities intercepted what Gardaí described as the most significant car bomb discovered in the Republic of Ireland in a decade.
The explosive device, believed to contain suspected military-grade explosives, was found during an intelligence-led operation on the N2 near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, close to the Irish border. Authorities believe the bomb was being transported for use in Northern Ireland.
The suspect, identified as Isobella Perrie Sullivan, appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court, where she was charged with possession of explosives.
According to Gardaí, officers found a bag containing Semtex and a detonator in the rear seat of her vehicle after it was stopped on Wednesday, July 22, During the bail hearing, Sullivan’s solicitor, Gavin Booth, said his client claimed she had been asked to transport a bag to Northern Ireland and was unaware of its contents.
Despite Garda objections, Judge Raymond Finnegan granted her bail under strict conditions, including a €15,000 independent surety, surrendering her passport, daily reporting to Naas Garda Station, and a nightly curfew. A second suspect, a man in his 40s, remains in Garda custody as investigations continue.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the seizure as “extremely significant” and warned that dissident republican groups continue to pose a serious threat despite the Good Friday Agreement. He said;
“To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure. So this was an explosive device. Any seizure of this nature is really concerning. There’s a small minority of these individuals; I would describe them as radicalised republicans.”
Kelly praised officers involved in the operation, saying their actions prevented what could have been a devastating attack. Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the discovery as “very worrying” but welcomed the swift response by security agencies.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also commended the operation, reaffirming its commitment to working closely with Gardaí to counter dissident republican terrorism. Investigations remain ongoing to determine the intended target and the full capability of the explosive device.