Trainee lawyer in her 20s is bailed after 'car bomb' was driven towards Northern Ireland in 'New IRA operation'

Trainee lawyer in her 20s is bailed after 'car bomb' was driven towards Northern Ireland in 'New IRA operation' - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Trainee solicitor Isobella Perrie Sullivan has been granted bail after she was caught driving a car bomb towards Northern Ireland in a suspected New IRA operation. Irish police said they made an 'extremely significant seizure' of a device on Wednesday afternoon made from military-grade plastic, which could have caused significant damage. Sullivan, 25, and a man in his 40s were arrested in the major investigation, with Irish news outlets reporting that the man was a suspected member of the New IRA's Dublin branch. The bomb was the most sophisticated that police had seized since the Troubles, sources told The Irish Times, pointing to the persistent threat posed by dissident republicans on both sides of the border. In an intelligence-led swoop, the Garda's Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle in transit near the Irish border on Wednesday afternoon on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. Gardaí then requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team, which completed an examination of the vehicle. It is understood the device found contained suspected military grade explosives. Garda sources have described the bomb as 'highly sophisticated' and 'advanced'. The vehicle's female driver was arrested at the scene and remained in Garda custody today. Trainee solicitor Isobella Perrie Sullivan has been granted bail - she is pictured leaving Trim District Court in County Meath on Friday evening Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly speaks to reporters today in Templemore, Co Tipperary Police later announced that Sullivan had been granted bail after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath charged with possession of explosives. Another suspect, a man aged in his 40s, has since been arrested and is being held 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 today. 'To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure,' he said. 'So this was an explosive device.' Commissioner Kelly added: 'Any seizure of this nature is really concerning. 'However, we certainly know that there are a small minority of dissident republicans who did not agree with the Good Friday Agreement, they did not put weapons and explosives (out of use), they didn't, you know, go through with the proper process in relation to decommissioning. So that is something that we continue to deal with. '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. 'We work very closely with our colleagues in PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) and the intelligence services in the UK to deal with this threat. But I want to commend the members of An Garda Síochána who are involved in this operation.' Police announced that Sullivan had been granted bail after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath charged with possession of explosives Mr Kelly also indicated that the bomb was already constructed when it was seized. 'Unfortunately for operational reasons, I can't go into the exact detail of the device,' he said. 'But what I will say certainly it was a significant explosive device. So certainly not just the seizure of components or pieces. 'This was an explosive device and it would have or could have potentially caused significant damage.' The commissioner confirmed the operation relied on intelligence. 'Obviously, this was not a random stop,' he said. 'Obviously, this is an intelligence-led operation, so we certainly do have information in relation to the individuals involved. But, naturally, I can't go into a lot of that in public.' 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 was also attending the Garda graduation ceremony, 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 Mr 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 Sir 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.' DUP leaded Gavin Robinson described the development as 'chilling'. The east Belfast MP questioned whether the Irish government needed to increase its focus on tackling dissident republicanism. 'All those involved in stopping this deserve enormous credit,' he said. 'Their actions may have prevented innocent families from suffering unimaginable tragedy. 'This operation also raises serious questions for the Irish Government about how it is assessing the threat posed by dissident republican terrorism and whether the response is keeping pace with the danger. 'If terrorists are capable of assembling sophisticated explosive devices and moving them towards the border, then it is entirely legitimate to ask whether the threat is being fully recognised and whether sufficient resources and operational focus are being directed towards disrupting these organisations before they reach this stage.' Carrickmacross is about six miles (10km) from the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Sporadic attacks by militant groups, often attempted car bombings, continue in Northern Ireland almost three decades since a peace deal largely ended sectarian violence.