A “significant” bomb built for “catastrophic” damage, and a suspected plot to bring violence to the north-west of Northern Ireland. The foiling of an alleged New IRA plot to detonate a bomb was a stark reminder of the dissident republican activity that quietly continues on both sides of the border. 

At the heart of the case are two suspects: Simon O’Donovan (44), an employee at the National Museum in Collins Barracks, and Isobella Perrie Sullivan (25), a law student.  

Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Ken Foy, crime correspondent at the Irish Independent, to look at how the plot was uncovered – and what comes next. 

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The BelTel

The alleged New IRA bomb plot, the law student and the museum worker 

The seizure last week of a bomb containing almost 400g of Semtex plastic explosive has put the New IRA back on to the front pages after a lull in violence.
Two people connected to the political group Saoradh have been charged in relation to the incident. 
The sophisticated device has fuel fears that the group has gained access to fresh stocks of military-grade explosives.
The New IRA has been long been associated with but the group also has a presence in Dublin.
Who are the New IRA and what are they capable of? 
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Robin Shiller, News and Security Correspondent with the Irish Independent.

New IRA: Republican terror group active on both sides of the border 

A west Belfast Accountant whose business was destroyed in an arson attack is blaming associates of a convicted death driver.  

Tim ‘Timo’ Molloy says people close to Martin Olali Jnr, who is awaiting sentencing for mowing down a pedestrian and his pet dog in a hit-and-run, are to blame. 

Mr Molloy’s office, which he lived above, was torched in May 2025 as he slept, he says thugs linked to has former friend meant to kill him.  

 

Martin Olali Jnr has admitted causing the death of Richard Boyle and his pet Jack Russell Junior in February 2021 by careless driving.  

 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life’s John Toner. 

West Belfast accountant blames office arson on death driver's friends 

The DUP's support has slumped disastrously – that's according to the latest Belfast Telegraph / LucidTalk polling.  The dramatic fall in backing for the party comes in the wake of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction for child sex offences.  

 

Sinn Féin and the Alliance party have also seen a drop in their support. This is all good news for the TUV, the SDLP, and especially for the UUP.  

 

Meanwhile – the decision to drastically scale back the planned Casement Park GAA stadium – has irked many Sinn Féin supporters. 

 

Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen. 

The alleged New IRA bomb plot, the law student and the museum worker

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