A Dublin man has been refused bail after appearing before the Special Criminal Court, where gardaí alleged he stored an explosive device at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks before it was later discovered in a car stopped in Co Monaghan.
Simon O'Donovan (44), of Sperrin Road, Dublin 12, appeared before a late-night sitting of the court on Saturday, charged with possession of an explosive substance in connection with the discovery of a viable bomb in Carrickmacross earlier this week.
The Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin, Ireland. D Ribeiro, Shutterstock
He is accused of possessing an improvised explosive device on 22 July at St Laurence's Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 10, contrary to the Explosive Substances Act 1883, as amended.
The case follows the interception of a car on the N2 south of Carrickmacross on Wednesday, where gardaí recovered what they described as a viable explosive device.
During the bail hearing, Detective Sergeant Shane Noone of the Garda Special Detective Unit told the court that CCTV footage allegedly showed O'Donovan leaving his workplace at Collins Barracks carrying a distinctive black holdall bag.
The detective said O'Donovan was then allegedly seen meeting Isobella Perrie Sullivan at the War Memorial Gardens in Dublin, where she allegedly took possession of the bag.
Irish National War Memorial Park. Avillfoto, Shutterstock
Gardaí claim Ms Perrie Sullivan later travelled to Carrickmacross, where officers searched the vehicle she was driving and discovered the same bag containing 394g of military-grade Semtex, a timer switch and a viable detonator.
The court heard that the explosive device had allegedly been stored within the museum before being removed.
Det Sgt Noone told the court that had the device detonated while inside the museum, it would have caused "catastrophic damage".
Gardaí also opposed O'Donovan's application for bail under the Bail Act, arguing they believed he would continue to engage in activity in support of the dissident republican group known as the New IRA if released.
The detective further alleged there was a risk the accused could interfere with witnesses, destroy evidence and intimidate museum staff connected to the investigation.
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barrack, Dublin. Shutterstock
Representing himself during the bail application, O'Donovan denied the allegations outlined by the detective and told the court he would comply with any bail conditions imposed.
However, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath refused bail, describing the alleged offence as extremely serious and noting it carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
The judge said there was "no doubt on the face of it" that, if the evidence presented by gardaí were ultimately proven, it suggested the accused had "a very deep and very continuing involvement" in the alleged offence.
He also accepted there was a real risk the accused could interfere with witnesses or the ongoing investigation and ruled that no bail conditions would adequately address those concerns.
The case has been adjourned until Monday.
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barrack, Dublin. Shutterstock
The arrest comes a day after Isobella Perrie Sullivan (25), a law student from Abbeylands Park, Clane, Co Kildare, was also charged in connection with the same investigation.
She appeared before a special sitting of Trim District Court on Friday, where she was charged with possession of explosives after the vehicle she was driving was stopped near Carrickmacross.
The court heard that members of the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team examined the device and determined it was viable.
Ms Perrie Sullivan was remanded in custody, with consent to bail, and is due to appear before Monaghan District Court on Monday. Gardaí have also sought a bail condition preventing her from having contact with members of the Saoradh political party or the 'New IRA.'
