Man charged with possession of explosive substance following Monaghan car-bomb discovery

A Dublin man has been charged with possession of an explosive substance in connection with an investigation into a car bomb discovered in County Monaghan. Simon O’Donovan, 44, appeared at a late-night sitting of the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Saturday.

O’Donovan is charged with knowingly possessing an improvised explosive device. The offense falls under the Explosive Substances Act. The car was stopped on the N2 south of Carrickmacross last Wednesday. Det Sgt Shane Noone of the Special Detective Unit arrested O’Donovan on Saturday afternoon.

During the arrest, O’Donovan stated he did not understand the charge, but later indicated he did. His defense solicitor noted an ongoing strike by criminal legal aid lawyers prevented him from accepting instructions. The case was adjourned, and O’Donovan is applying for bail.

This development follows the charging of a 25-year-old woman, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, on Friday evening in relation to the same incident. Sullivan, a law student, was charged with possession of explosives at Trim District Court. A device found in her vehicle was deemed viable by the Defence Forces. Gardaí also requested that she have no contact with the Saoradh political party or the New IRA.

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