THE miner charged with planting a homemade bomb on a love rival's ute at Mt Sheridan walked free on bail yesterday - with the order to leave Cairns within a week.

Mark Weldon, 38, appeared in Cairns Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted murder and attempting to injure by explosive device.

The charges came after a 39-year-old Mt Sheridan motorist had driven nearly 4km from his home on Tuesday before he stopped on Barnard Drive and discovered a bomb hanging under the vehicle, Far Northern Region crime co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said.

Det Insp Hartwell said the simple device consisted of a small gas cylinder and a detonator wired to the car’s electrics.

"On the opinion of our bomb experts it could have caused damage or serious injury or death," Det Insp Hartwell said.

He said the alleged incident stemmed from a
domestic incident involving both men, who had a previous relationship with the same
woman.

Mr Weldon, a former Cairns man who now lives and works in Western Australia, was immediately released on bail yesterday but was given just one week to pack his bags and leave Cairns for good.

Prosecutor Sgt Mark White did not oppose the bail application, which included four strict conditions already agreed to by police and defence solicitor Philip Bovey.

Among the orders was that Mr Weldon leave Cairns before Anzac Day and only return to Queensland for court appearances and legal
appointments.

He was banned from contacting both the driver of the car and a female, ordered to live with his sister in Mirrabooka, near Perth, and must
report to police in Western Australia once a week.

Sgt White requested a lengthy adjournment for expert analysis and the case was adjourned until July.

The court did not hear details of the allegations against Mr
Weldon.

But in a media conference late yesterday, Det Insp Hartwell revealed that police inquiries had led them to a car parked at Cairns airport.

A search of the vehicle allegedly found equipment similar to that used in the bomb. A man was arrested when he arrived on a flight into Cairns on Thursday.

The driver had heard a noise under the vehicle on Tuesday and as he pulled over, the car stalled.

Det Insp Hartwell alleged the motorist found a bomb that had fallen down under the vehicle.

He disconnected the device and drove to a police station to report the incident.

"At the stage that he found the device, it had fallen and the wires had become detached from the device so it was basically inert," Det Insp Hartwell said.

"If someone does find something suspicious attached to the vehicle we advise them to leave the vehicle and call police immediately."

The utility has been impounded for detailed scientific examination.

The experienced detective said it was the first crime of its type he had seen.

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