Kildare law student granted bail on explosives charge

A 25-year-old law student from Kildare has been granted bail after appearing before court charged with possession of explosives.

Isobella Perrie Sullivan, of Abbeylands Park, Clane in Co Kildare, appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening after a bomb was intercepted in a car near the Irish border.

She wore a pink White Fox Boutique hoodie as she listened to proceedings.

Another suspect, a man in his 40s, remained in custody at a Garda station in the Dublin area on Friday night.

A Garda officer outlined to the court how Perrie Sullivan had been stopped by gardaí on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

During a search of her vehicle, a bag was found in the rear seat which was found to contain Semtex and a detonator, the court heard.

The court heard that Perrie Sullivan was studying for a law degree and wanted to become a barrister.

Defence solicitor Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, said his client had been asked to take a bag to the north, and had not been aware what was in it.

He said she lived with her father in Kildare and wanted to become a barrister.

He said both her parents are devastated and can’t believe what has happened, adding that if granted bail they would intend to keep her on a “tight reign and ensure she abides by all conditions”.

Judge Raymond Finnegan agreed to allow bail.

It came with a number of conditions, which included an independent surety of €15,000, that she surrenders her passport, an address approved by Gardaí, a mobile phone number on which to be available 24/7, to sign in every day at Naas Garda Station and a curfew of 9pm to 7am.

Gardaí also requested another condition, that she not have any contact with anyone in the Saoradh political party or the New IRA.