Isobella Perrie Sullivan has been charged after Gardaí intercepted a highly significant explosive device on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, on Wednesday afternoon. She is due before a special sitting of Trim district court in County Meath on Friday evening.
Justin Kelly said the seizure was “an extremely significant seizure” and added that “this was an explosive device and it would have or could have potentially caused significant damage.” The woman is in her 20s, and a man in his 40s arrested in the same investigation remained detained in relation to offences against the state.
Wednesday afternoon on the N2
Members of the Garda Síochána’s special detective unit stopped the vehicle while it was travelling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross after receiving intelligence information. Garda sources said the bomb was highly sophisticated, had been completed and was ready for use, with a power unit, a detonator and military-grade explosives inside.
The device was examined south of Carrickmacross with help from the Irish Defence Forces explosive ordnance disposal team. Security sources said the probable intended use was as an under-car explosive for an attack in Northern Ireland, and that the bomb required mechanical and electrical knowledge as well as the sourcing of explosives.
Justin Kelly on intelligence-led policing
Kelly also said, “Obviously, this was not a random stop” and, “This is an intelligence-led operation, so we certainly do have information in relation to the individuals involved.” That line matters because it shows the interception came from targeted police work, not a routine roadside stop, and it leaves the charge itself as the next detail readers will want to see in court.
He said, “There’s a small minority of these individuals, I would describe them as radicalised republicans, and this is a threat that we’re going to continue to face for some time in An Garda Síochána.” The charge now turns the seizure into a court process, with the special sitting in Trim set to put the allegation on the record against the backdrop of continuing security pressure linked to dissident republican activity.
