County Monaghan bomb: Law student charged over device in car

The 25-year-old law student appeared in court in connection with a car bomb found in County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland.

Isobella Perrie Sullivan, of Abbeylands Park in Clane, County Kildare, was charged with possession of explosives.

He was allegedly driving a car that was stopped by gardaí (Irish police) near Carrickmacross on Wednesday.

The intervention was part of an operation targeting dissident republican activities and gardaí believed the bomb would be diverted over the border into Northern Ireland.

The defendant appeared before a special session at Trim District Court in County Meath on Friday evening.

A member of the Garda Special Detective Unit told the court the car he was driving was searched and the bomb was found in a bag in the back of the car.

The officer said the bomb contained a timing power unit, a detonator and a type of plastic explosive he believed to be Semtex.

The court was told the Irish Defense Forces were called to the scene and declared the device a valid bomb.

A defense lawyer told the court that Perrie Sullivan lived with her father in County Kildare and was studying to become a lawyer.

The judge said he would be released on bail provided he receives independent surety of €15,000 (£12,800).

He must also surrender his passport, comply with a curfew, give his phone number to gardaí and sign in daily at the garda station in County Kildare.

Perrie Sullivan was taken into custody with a new bail hearing scheduled for Monday.