A 44-year-old museum employee and a 25-year-old trainee barrister have been charged with possession of explosives following the interception of a suspected car bomb near the border with Northern Ireland last week. The incident has been linked to dissident republican activity.

Simon O’Donovan, who works at the Collins Barracks National Museum in Dublin and resides in Drimnagh, was arrested on Wednesday, July 22, after police stopped a vehicle traveling on the N2 near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The Garda Special Detective Unit conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered a bag containing a fully assembled explosive device. The bomb reportedly included Semtex, a military-grade plastic explosive, a detonator, and a timer. Authorities described the device as highly sophisticated and capable of causing significant damage.

Isobella Perrie Sullivan, a 25-year-old law graduate and trainee barrister from County Kildare, was driving the vehicle at the time of the stop. She was charged with possession of explosives and appeared before Trim District Court on Friday. Her solicitor stated that Sullivan was asked to transport the bag and was unaware of its contents. Sullivan has been granted bail on condition of a €15,000 surety, surrendering her passport, and adhering to a strict curfew, though she remained in custody pending another hearing.

O’Donovan appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Saturday, where he represented himself during a bail hearing. The court refused his bail application following objections from gardaí. He is remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly commented on the seizure, calling it “extremely significant” and highlighting ongoing concerns around dissident republican groups that reject the Good Friday Agreement and have not fully decommissioned weapons. He described these groups as a “small minority” but one that continues to pose a threat.

The case has drawn political attention as well. Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), criticised the decision to grant bail to Sullivan, emphasizing the seriousness of the discovery of a viable Semtex bomb and expressing concern about the message this sends regarding the threat of dissident republican terrorism.

Sullivan’s legal representative noted that she had previously been involved with a political group and spent time in Syria but had distanced herself from politics to focus on her studies. He described her as having been “manipulated” and said her family was devastated by the charges.

The investigation and court proceedings continue as authorities work to address the security risks posed by dissident republican elements in the region.