Law student charged in connection with ‘dissident republican bomb’ seized near Irish border

A 25-year-old law student has been charged after police seized a car comb near the Irish border on Friday.

Isobella Perrie Sullivan, of Abbeylands Park in Clane, Co Kildare, appeared in special session at Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening following the recovery of a bomb in a car near the Irish border.

Gardaí investigating the suspected dissident republican bomb incident arrested Sullivan, the driver of the car.

In an intelligence-led raid, members of the Garda’s Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle traveling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, on Wednesday afternoon.

Garda described the bomb seized in the vehicle as “extremely significant”.

It appears that the device found contained explosives suspected to be of military use.

Garda sources described the bomb as “extremely complex” and “sophisticated”.

Another suspect, a man in his 40s, is being detained at a Garda station in the Dublin area.

A court hearing heard that during a search of her vehicle a bag containing Semtex and explosives was found in the back seat, the area had to be evacuated and Ms Perrie Sullivan was arrested.

The court heard Ms Perrie Sullivan studied law and wanted to become a lawyer.

Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence.

Defense lawyer Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, said his client was asked to take a bag north and was unaware of what was inside, adding that his client was “manipulated”.

Judge Raymond Finnegan agreed to grant him bail.

This came with a series of conditions, including an independent surety of €15,000, surrendering his passport, staying at an address approved by Gardaí, having a mobile phone number available 24/7, being able to sign in at Naas Garda Station every day and a curfew from 9pm to 7am.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed details of the operation when he spoke to the media at a Garda graduation event in Co Tipperary on Friday morning.

“To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure,” he said.

“So it was an explosive device.”

Commissioner Kelly added: “Any seizure of this nature is truly concerning.

“However, we certainly know that there is a small minority of dissident republicans who do not accept the Good Friday Agreement. They have not decommissioned weapons and explosives, they have not carried out the proper disarmament process.

“So this is something we continue to grapple with.

“There is a small minority of these individuals – I would describe them as radical republicans – and that is a threat we will continue to face in An Garda Síochána for some time to come.”

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the seizure as “very concerning”.

“I think this is evidence that there is an ongoing threat from dissident republican activity,” he said.

“But I also know that there is great collaboration between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána, and I think recent developments and the work of An Garda Síochána show the benefits of having such close collaboration between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.”

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Davy Beck said police on both sides of the Irish border shared a “common determination” to tackle the threat of dissident republican terrorism.

“I very much welcome this important seizure and the arrests made by our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, with whom we work so closely every day,” he said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant praised the Garda for preventing a possible attack.

“The seizure of a dangerous device like this has undoubtedly saved lives and kept communities on both sides of the border safe,” he said.

“Strong cross-border security cooperation is as vital as ever.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the development as “chilling”.

The East Belfast MP has questioned whether the Irish government should focus more on tackling dissident republicanism.

“Anyone who contributed to stopping this deserves great credit,” he said.

“Their actions may have prevented innocent families from suffering unimaginable tragedies.”

Sinn Féin Stormont Assembly member Gerry Kelly described those responsible for the explosive as “reckless”.

“Those responsible do not represent anyone, they lack support and have nothing positive to offer our communities. Their actions are completely reckless,” he said.

“Those involved must abandon their futile actions, leave the scene for good, and allow our communities to continue moving forward together in peace.”

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