Irish Police Stop Bomb Bound for Northern Ireland

A car carrying an “extremely significant” explosive device was intercepted in the Republic of Ireland as it was being driven towards Northern Ireland, Irish police said.

Gardaí said the vehicle was stopped in County Monaghan on Wednesday during an operation focused on dissident republican activity. Police in Northern Ireland believe the bomb was intended for an attack on a police facility north of the border.

Northern Ireland’s main theory is that the device was being transported for use against a police station in the region. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed on Friday that officers had found an explosive device after the car was stopped on the N2 near Carrickmacross at about 15:00.

Arrests and court appearance

A woman in her 20s has been charged and is due to appear in court in County Meath on Friday evening. A man in his 40s remains in custody, gardaí said.

Gardaí said the operation was intelligence-led and targeted individuals believed to be involved.

Police sources in Northern Ireland believe the New IRA was likely responsible for the planned attack.

“Extremely significant” device defused

Kelly said the incident was a serious concern but described it as part of an ongoing threat faced by the authorities from a small group of dissident republicans who have not accepted the Good Friday Agreement process for removing weapons and explosives.

“The bomb was not just components or pieces,” Kelly said. “This was an explosive device and it would have or could have potentially caused significant damage.”

Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described the find as “very worrying”, adding that it showed there was an ongoing threat from dissident republican activity. He said gardaí had been able to apprehend a suspect and that the device had been defused.

Kelly said officers had information about those involved.

RTÉ reported that gardaí sources said the device included a power unit, a detonator and military-grade explosives.

Officials praise cross-border response

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant thanked gardaí for their “quick, decisive action”, saying the interception of a dangerous device helped keep communities safe on both sides of the border. He said cross-border security cooperation remained vital.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the seizure and arrests underlined joint commitment to addressing threats posed by violent dissident republican groups. He said the PSNI would continue to liaise closely with An Garda Síochána and offer support as required.

Political reaction

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the bomb reflected a “wreckers’ agenda” and that those responsible had no support for her communities.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said the incident raised questions about how the Irish government was assessing the threat from dissident republican terrorism and whether its response matched the level of danger.

Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long said she “unequivocally” condemned the actions, saying there could be no justification for efforts intended to endanger lives.

Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader Diana Armstrong thanked An Garda Síochána for professionalism and swift action.

Social Democratic and Labour Party MP Colum Eastwood said the incident would bring back difficult memories for many, adding that violence harms communities and tears families apart.

Fine Gael’s David Maxwell, who represents Cavan-Monaghan, thanked gardaí for stopping the device crossing the border and said the Irish Defence Forces had helped make it safe.

Dissident republicans: background

The term “dissident republicans” covers individuals and groups that do not accept the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended the worst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Provisional IRA, the main armed republican organisation during the conflict, declared a ceasefire before the deal and ended its armed campaign in 2005. Dissident republican groups include breakaway factions such as the Continuity IRA and the New IRA, which are smaller than the Provisional IRA but have access to high-calibre weapons. They have used improvised explosive devices and mortars in attacks and attempted attacks.

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25 July 2026

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