Gavin Robinson made the comments after a 25-year-old law student appeared before a district court after a bomb was found in her car in Co Monaghan on Wednesday.

A Garda officer outlined to the court how Perrie Sullivan had been stopped by gardaí on the N2 at Aclint, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

The female (aged in her 20s) who was arrested has since been charged in relation to this investigation.

Two people have been arrested following the intercept operation targeting dissident republicans.

The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordinance Team was called in, but Gardaí say they are not releasing the outcome for operational reasons.

This follows a search that was carried out by gardaí under a warrant.

Hundreds of mourners joined Chloe McGee’s family at St Joseph’s Church in Carrickmacross on Saturdayz

Shane Farrell was cycling home when he was struck by a car in the Carrickmacross area of Co Monaghan.

The vehicle drove at the marked patrol car and Gardaí had to take evasive action to avoid being deliberately struck.