THE Gardaí investigating a suspected dissident republican bomb intercepted in a car near the Irish border have charged a woman in her 20s in connection with the case.
The accused, who was the driver of the car, is due to appear before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening.
Earlier, the Garda described the bomb seized from the vehicle as “extremely significant”.
In an intelligence-led swoop, members of the Garda’s Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle travelling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood the device found contained suspected military-grade explosives.
Garda sources have described the bomb as “highly sophisticated” and “advanced”.
Another suspect, a man aged in his 40s, remains in custody at a Garda station in the Dublin area.
Garda commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed details of the operation as he spoke to 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 this was an explosive device.”
Ireland’s minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan described the seizure as “very worrying”.
“I think it is very significant,” he said.
“I’ve been updated on that by the (Garda) Commissioner. I think it evidences the fact that there is an ongoing threat in respect of dissident republican activity.
“But I also know that there’s been great cooperation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána, and I think I suppose the developments recently and the work of An Garda Síochána indicate the benefits of having that close cooperation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.”
The minister, who also attended the Garda graduation ceremony in Co Tipperary, added: “It is very worrying. But I suppose what I’m encouraged about is that the gardaí were able to apprehend the suspect.
“The device has been, I suppose, procured for the gardaí and has been defused. So there’s lots of issues in respect of it that are concerning. But I also want to commend the gardaí for the work they did in ensuring that this didn’t become a real threat to the public.”
He said there was undoubtedly an “ongoing threat” from dissident republicanism.
“We need to recognise that, and what happened… (at Carrickmacross) is evidence of that,” said O’Callaghan.
PSNI assistant chief constable Davy Beck said police on both sides of the Irish border shared a “joint commitment” to tackle the dissident republican terror threat.
“I very much welcome this significant seizure and the arrests made by our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, with whom we work very closely on a daily basis,” he said.
“This underlines our joint commitment to address the threat posed by violent dissident republican groups and keep communities safe.
“We will continue to liaise closely with An Garda Síochána in relation to their investigation, and provide any support as required.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant commended the Garda for intercepting the device.
“Huge thanks to An Garda Síochána for their quick, decisive action in Co. Monaghan,” he posted on social media.
“Intercepting a dangerous device like this undoubtedly saved lives and kept communities safe on both sides of the border.
“Strong cross-border security cooperation remains as vital as ever.”
