Law student charged over device in County Monaghan car

A 25-year-old law student has appeared in court charged over a bomb which was discovered in a car in the Republic of Ireland.

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

It was alleged she was driving the car which was intercepted by gardaí (Irish police) near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, on Wednesday.

A defence solicitor told the court his client had been asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland and had not been aware what was in it.

Earlier on Friday, gardaí told reporters their interception was part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity.

The accused, who was arrested on Wednesday, was brought before a special sitting of Trim District Court in County Meath on Friday evening.

A member of the Garda Special Detective Unit told the court the car she was driving was stopped by officers on N2 at Aclint, south of Carrickmacross.

The vehicle 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 what he believed to be Semtex - a brand of plastic explosive.

The court was told the Irish Defence Forces were called to the scene and declared that the device was a viable bomb.

Perrie Sullivan's defence solicitor told the court his client lived with her father in County Kildare.

He added she was studying for a law degree and wanted to become a barrister.

The judge said he intended to grant her bail provided she obtained a €15,000 (£12,800) independent surety.

She must also surrender her passport, adhere to a curfew, provide her phone number to gardaí, and sign on daily at garda station in County Kildare.

Perrie Sullivan was remanded in custody with a further bail hearing scheduled for Monday.