Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0418Possession of explosive device · Co. Dublin · 22 Jul 2026

National Museum employee Simon O'Donovan seeks bail over explosive device charge

A bag containing Semtex military grade explosives and a detonator was found in the rear seat of a car stopped by gardaí on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on 22 July 2026, in an operation targeting dissident republican activity. Simon O'Donovan, 44, a man and employee at the Collins Barracks National Museum in Dublin, and Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, a woman and law student who was driving the vehicle, were both charged with possession of explosives. O'Donovan was remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court on 25 July and had his High Court bail application refused on 26 July; he is remanded until 5 October, and a further High Court bail application was adjourned on 13 August. Sullivan was granted bail on 28 July with conditions including no contact with Saoradh or the New IRA, and her case was adjourned to 28 September on 7 August.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested23 Jul
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Jul
    8 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A bag containing Semtex military grade explosives and a detonator was found in the rear seat of a car stopped by gardaí on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
  • Simon O'Donovan, 44, a man and employee at the Collins Barracks National Museum in Dublin, was charged with possession of an explosive substance.
  • Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, a woman and law student of Clane, Co Kildare, who was driving the vehicle, was charged with possession of explosives.
When
The vehicle was stopped at around 3pm on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.
Investigation
The investigation is part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity, and the Defence Forces EOD team examined the vehicle.
Charges
The offence is contrary to section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 as amended by section 15(4) of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998.
In court
  • O'Donovan was remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court on 25 July 2026 and had his High Court bail application refused on 26 July; he is remanded until 5 October 2026.
  • Sullivan was granted bail on 28 July 2026 with conditions including a €15,000 surety, passport surrender, curfew of 9pm to 7am, daily sign-in at Naas Garda station, and no contact with anyone in Saoradh or the New IRA.
  • Sullivan's case was adjourned to 28 September 2026 at Monaghan District Court on 7 August, pending DPP updates.
  • O'Donovan's High Court bail application was adjourned to Tuesday on 13 August 2026 at the request of both defence and State.
Other details
Sullivan's defence said she was asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland and was not aware of its contents, adding she had been manipulated.
Where
O'Donovan is of Sperrin Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, and Sullivan is of Abbeylands Park, Clane, Co Kildare.
90 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe arrested woman was in her 20s and was the driver of the vehicle (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was stopped travelling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross on 22 July 2026 (garda.ie)
  • whatA male in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation (garda.ie)
  • whatSimon O'Donovan was charged with possession of explosives (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Donovan is an employee at the Collins Barracks National Museum (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIsobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, was charged with possession of explosives in relation to the case (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHer defence said she was asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland and did not know what was in it. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA bag in the rear seat contained Semtex military grade explosives and a detonator. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIsobella Perrie Sullivan is a law student (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSullivan's defence said she was asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSullivan's defence said she was not aware what was in the bag (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA bag containing Semtex military grade explosive and a detonator was found in the rear seat of the car (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSimon O'Donovan is an employee at a Dublin museum (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe vehicle was stopped on the N2 south of Carrickmacross (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe explosives were intercepted in a car on the N2 near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereO'Donovan has an address at Sperrin Road, Drimnagh (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA vehicle travelling on the N2 near Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan was stopped and searched by gardaí on Wednesday (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA bomb was intercepted in a car near the Border in Co Monaghan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe car was stopped on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSullivan lives in Abbeylands Park, Clane, Co Kildare (irishtimes.com)
  • whereIsobella Perrie Sullivan lives at Abbeylands Park, Clane, Co Kildare (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe car was stopped on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, in July 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe car Perrie Sullivan was in was stopped by gardaí on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, in July. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe vehicle was stopped at around 3pm on Wednesday, July 22 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe vehicle was stopped and searched on Wednesday 22 July 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenO'Donovan's charge relates to 22 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenSimon O'Donovan was charged on 22 July 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí requested the assistance of the Defence Forces EOD team (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe EOD team completed an examination of the vehicle (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe outcome of the examination is not being released for operational reasons (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí described it as an ongoing operation and will not provide further comment (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing (garda.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Shane Noone arrested O'Donovan at 5.07pm on Saturday (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationO'Donovan was to be charged at St Laurence's Road in Chapelizod on Wednesday July 22 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Garda officer said they are still making inquiries in terms of the surety. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe DPP is waiting for updates before proceeding (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe DPP is waiting for updates (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution follows an operation involving the discovery of an alleged bomb in a car in Co Monaghan. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe woman was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man in his 40s has been charged in relation to the investigation (garda.ie)
  • chargePerrie Sullivan was charged with possession of explosives at Trim District Court in Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeSullivan was charged with possession of explosives (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeIsobella Perrie Sullivan was charged with possession of explosives (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeSimon O'Donovan is also charged in relation to the bomb interception (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeSimon O'Donovan is charged with possession of an explosive substance at St Laurence's Road in Chapelizod (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe offence is contrary to section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 as amended by section 15(4) of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeIsobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, of Abbeylands Park, Clane, Co Kildare, was charged with possession of explosives on 22 July in connection with the same investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before the Special Criminal Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 25 July 2026 at 8:15pm (garda.ie)
  • courtThe three-judge Special Criminal Court remanded O'Donovan in custody until Monday (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Patrick McGrath refused O'Donovan's bail application in the High Court after gardaí objections (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtPerrie Sullivan was granted bail but remains in custody ahead of a further bail hearing on Monday (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe three-judge Special Criminal Court remanded him in custody until Monday (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtIsobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, of Clane, Co Kildare, appeared before a district court on Friday charged with possession of explosives (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtShe was charged with possession of explosives at a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Raymond Finnegan remanded her with consent to bail because her defence lawyer was not present in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe is due to appear before Monaghan District Court again on 7 August 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBail conditions included a €15,000 independent surety, passport surrender, curfew 9pm to 7am, 24-hour mobile phone, and daily sign-in at Naas Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGardaí requested a condition that she have no contact with anyone in Saoradh or the New IRA. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe surety was provided by an individual in the Claremorris area of Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPerrie Sullivan will next appear before Monaghan District Court on 7 August. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtO'Donovan was denied bail and remanded in custody until 5 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSullivan appeared at Monaghan District Court on Friday 7 August 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned until 28 September 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSullivan's bail conditions include no contact with anyone in Saoradh or the New IRA (irishtimes.com)
  • courtO'Donovan has been remanded in custody until 5 October 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIsobella Perrie Sullivan appeared at Monaghan District Court on 7 August 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 28 September (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtIsobella Perrie Sullivan was granted bail with conditions including no contact with anyone in Saoradh or the New IRA (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSimon O'Donovan has been remanded in custody until 5 October 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was previously remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe lodged a High Court bail application. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCounsel for the defence and the State requested the matter be adjourned until Tuesday, which was granted. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe is due back before the Special Criminal Court on 5 October, when he is expected to be served with the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPerrie Sullivan was released on €15,000 bail subject to conditions including no contact with Saoradh or the New IRA. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPerrie Sullivan's case has been adjourned until 28 September. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe road was shut for a period but has since reopened (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Defence Forces had no comment available on the incident (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe investigation is part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity (garda.ie)
  • otherAfter cautioning, O'Donovan replied 'I don't understand' (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDarragh Mackin of Phoenix Law appeared out of courtesy due to a solicitors' strike over legal aid fees (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPerrie Sullivan's solicitor said she was asked to take a bag to the north and was not aware what was in it (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherO'Donovan is employed at the Collins Barracks National Museum in Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPerrie Sullivan's solicitor said she had been asked to take a bag to the north and was not aware what was in it (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBail conditions included a €15,000 independent surety, passport surrender, curfew of 9pm to 7am, mobile phone available at all times, and daily sign-in at Naas Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí requested she not have contact with anyone in the Saoradh political party or the New IRA. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said he had not received an application to approve the surety. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHer defence said she was asked to take a bag to the north (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHer defence said she was not aware what was in the bag (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHer defence said she had been manipulated (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSimon O'Donovan is a National Museum of Ireland employee. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Aug2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    National Museum of Ireland employee charged with having bomb seeks bail

    Reports on O'Donovan's High Court bail application, which was adjourned to Tuesday at the request of both defence and State. Also details the parallel charge against law student Isobella Perrie Sullivan, who was released on €15,000 bail with conditions barring contact with Saoradh or the New IRA.

    accused, 44, male, irish (judged from name)accused, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivan
  2. 7 Aug2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Law student charged over intercepted bomb appears in court

    Reports that Isobella Perrie Sullivan appeared at Monaghan District Court on 7 August 2026, where her case was adjourned until 28 September pending DPP updates. Confirms the bag contained Semtex military grade explosive and a detonator. States her defence said she was asked to take a bag to the north and was 'manipulated.' Confirms Simon O'Donovan is remanded in custody until 5 October.

    suspect, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivansuspect, Simon O'Donovan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon O'Donovan
  3. 7 Aug2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Law student back in court over Monaghan bomb find

    Sullivan appeared at Monaghan District Court on 7 August 2026; matter adjourned to 28 September 2026 pending DPP updates. Defence said she was asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland and was 'manipulated.' Bail conditions include no contact with Saoradh or the New IRA. Simon O'Donovan remanded until 5 October 2026.

    suspect, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivansuspect, 44, male, irish (judged from name)
  4. 28 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Bail approved for law student charged over alleged Co Monaghan bomb

    Details Perrie Sullivan's bail conditions and the multi-court process (Trim, Monaghan, Cavan District Courts); confirms O'Donovan denied bail at Special Criminal Court and remanded to 5 October.

    suspect, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivansuspect, 44, male, irish (judged from name)
  5. 27 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Woman accused of transporting bomb across Ireland further remanded

    Remand hearing at Monaghan District Court; defence said she was manipulated into taking a bag to Northern Ireland; bail conditions include €15,000 surety, passport surrender, curfew, daily sign-in at Naas Garda station, and no contact with Saoradh or New IRA members; next appearance 7 August 2026.

    accused, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivan
  6. 26 Jul2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Face of museum employee charged after car bomb intercepted near Irish border

    Details of O'Donovan's Special Criminal Court appearance on 25 July 2026, his failed High Court bail application, his lack of legal representation due to the solicitors' strike, and Perrie Sullivan's appearance at Trim District Court where she was granted bail.

    suspect, Simon O'Donovan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon O'Donovansuspect, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivan
  7. 26 Jul2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Dublin museum employee charged with possessing explosives in Irish border case

    First court appearance; O'Donovan remanded in custody and bail refused by High Court; second accused, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, granted bail but remains in custody pending further hearing.

    accused, Simon O'Donovan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon O'Donovanaccused, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Isobella Perrie Sullivan
  8. 25 Jul2026
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    25/07/2026 Update (2) Court Appearance- Operation Targeting Dissident Republican Activity - N2, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, 22nd July 2026

    Gardaí confirm the man in his 40s has been charged and is due before the Special Criminal Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 25 July 2026 at 8:15pm as part of Operation Targeting Dissident Republican Activity.

    accused, 40s, male
  9. 23 Jul2026
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman, 20s, arrested after army bomb squad called in

    Initial report of the arrest; EOD team examined the vehicle but outcome not released for operational reasons; woman detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939; Gardaí described it as an ongoing operation.

    suspect, 20s, female