Gardaí have seized what’s being described as the most significant car bomb found in the south in years and described as one of the most significant car bombs recovered in the south since the Good Friday Agreement.
The device was discovered in a car stopped by officers in Carrickmacross, earlier this week.
It’s believed the ready-made device, containing military-grade Semtex explosive, was being transported by dissident republicans.
The armed support unit intercepted the vehicle, closing the N2 for a number of hours and it's also understood that a number of houses in the locality were evacuated at the time too.
Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee and Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson, Matt Carthy TD, has responded to today’s security briefing by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
The TD for Cavan-Monaghan said: “The discovery of a sizeable bomb being transported by dissident republicans near Carrickmacross is deeply concerning. This bomb was being transported on a busy road through Monaghan communities. The seizure of the device by An Garda Síochána is to be welcomed, as a bomb of this scale could have resulted in significant loss of life.
“Those involved have no mandate, no strategy, and offer no path to Irish unity. Political and democratic means are the only way forward. It is time for these groups to disband, and for us all to focus on pursuing a peaceful and democratic path towards a united Ireland.”
