(CN) — An Irish law student charged after police intercepted a vehicle carrying a military-grade explosive near the Northern Ireland border appeared briefly in court Friday, as prosecutors said they were still awaiting updates before progressing the case. Authorities believe it was destined for Northern Ireland and said the operation targeted violent dissident republicans. Irish republican groups seek to end British rule in Northern Ireland and unite it with the Republic of Ireland. Saoradh is a small Irish republican political party that Irish authorities have linked to the New IRA. During the Troubles, explosives and weapons were frequently smuggled across the border from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland for attacks by republican paramilitary groups.