Law student charged after bomb discovery in car granted bail

A law student charged in connection with the discovery of a bomb in a car in County Monaghan has been granted bail.

Isobella Perrie Sullivan of Abbeylands Park, Clane, County Kildare, had previously faced a delay in her bail application while checks were carried out on a €15,000 (£12,800) independent surety.

The 25-year-old did not appear before Cavan District Court either via video link or in person on Tuesday.

The court heard that the surety had been provided by an individual in County Mayo, along with their bank details.

During the brief hearing, gardaí (Irish police) asked for an amendment to her bail conditions to include a condition that she not make any contact, directly or indirectly, with the co-accused in the case or with any associates of that person.

However the judge said that the request was covered by the bail conditions set out at her initial appearance on Friday.

Perrie Sullivan is due to appear again before Monaghan District Court in August.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was "extraordinary" that bail had been granted and added that he has written to the Irish justice minister.

"The decision to grant bail to an individual accused of transporting a bomb is deeply alarming and raises serious questions about priorities within the criminal justice system," he said.

"It sends a message that the Irish justice system is utterly broken."

Robinson added that such decisions "inevitably undermine public confidence".

The Irish Department of Justice has been contacted.