A woman has been charged after police intercepted a car comb near the Irish border on Friday.

Gardaí investigating the incident, which involved a suspected dissident republican bomb, have charged a woman in her 20s in connection with the case.

The accused, who was the driver of the car, is due to appear before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath on Friday evening.

In an intelligence-led swoop, members of the Garda’s Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle travelling on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on Wednesday afternoon.

The Garda described the bomb seized from the vehicle as “extremely significant”.

It is understood the device found contained suspected military-grade explosives.

Garda sources have described the bomb as “highly sophisticated” and “advanced”.

Another suspect, a man aged in his 40s, remains in custody at a Garda station in the Dublin area.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed details of the operation as he spoke to media at a Garda graduation event in Co Tipperary on Friday morning.

“To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure,” he said.

“So this was an explosive device.”

Commissioner Kelly added: “Any seizure of this nature is really concerning.

“However, we certainly know that there are a small minority of dissident republicans who did not agree with the Good Friday Agreement. They did not put weapons and explosives (out of use), they didn’t, you know, go through with the proper process in relation to decommissioning.

“So that is something that we continue to deal with.

“There’s a small minority of these individuals – I would describe them as radicalised republicans – and this is a threat that we’re going to continue to face for some time in An Garda Síochána.”

Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described the seizure as “very worrying”.

“I think it evidences the fact that there is an ongoing threat in respect of dissident republican activity,” he said.

“But I also know that there’s been great co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána and, I think, I suppose the developments recently and the work of An Garda Síochána indicate the benefits of having that close co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said police on both sides of the Irish border shared a “joint commitment” to tackle the dissident republican terror threat.

“I very much welcome this significant seizure and the arrests made by our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, with whom we work very closely on a daily basis,” he said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant commended the Garda for thwarting a potential attack.

“Intercepting a dangerous device like this undoubtedly saved lives and kept communities safe on both sides of the border,” he said.

“Strong cross-border security co-operation remains as vital as ever.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the development as “chilling”.

The east Belfast MP questioned whether the Irish government needed to increase its focus on tackling dissident republicanism.

“All those involved in stopping this deserve enormous credit,” he said.

“Their actions may have prevented innocent families from suffering unimaginable tragedy.”

Sinn Féin Stormont Assembly member Gerry Kelly described those responsible for the explosive device as “reckless”.

“Those responsible represent no one, are void of support and have nothing positive to offer our communities. Their actions are entirely reckless,” he said.

“Those involved should abandon their futile actions, leave the stage once and for all, and allow our communities to continue moving forward together in peace.”

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