Simon O'Donovan charged with possession of explosive substance after Monaghan car-bomb discovery
Simon O'Donovan (44) was brought before the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Saturday night following the discovery of a bomb in a car on the N2 south of Carrickmacross on Wednesday.
O'Donovan, with an address at Sperrin Road, Dublin 12, is charged that on July 22nd, 2026, at St Laurence's Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 10, he knowingly had in his possession an explosive substance, namely an improvised device. The offence is contrary to section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
Det Sgt Shane Noone of the Special Detective Unit told the court he arrested O'Donovan at 5.06pm on Saturday for the possession of explosives. When cautioned, O'Donovan replied: After the detective explained again, O'Donovan said he understood. When handed the charge sheet and cautioned a second time, he made no reply.
A second person, Isobella Perrie Sullivan (25), a law student from Clane, Co Kildare, was charged with possession of explosives at a special sitting of Trim District Court on Friday evening, in connection with the same incident. Sullivan was stopped in Carrickmacross on Wednesday and the vehicle she was driving was searched. O'Donovan is applying for bail before High Court Judge Patrick McGrath and the case was adjourned to Monday.
