A FORMER leading member of Republican Sinn Fein was jailed for 10 years yesterday after being convicted of possessing 1 1/2 tonnes of explosives near the Border.

There were unruly scenes after the Special Criminal Court imposed sentence on Michael Hegarty.

Gardai restrained a small group of supporters who shouted at the three judges and told Hegarty: "You're a good republican."

One woman shouted at him: "Our day will come."

Hegarty (45), a native of Co Clare with an address at Knockmore Grove, Tallaght, Co Dublin, was convicted of the unlawful possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger life at Longfield, Etra Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, on November 10th, 1995.

Hegarty, a former member of the Republican Sinn Fein ardchomhairle, had refused to recognise the Special Criminal Court during his three day trial and sat impassively as sentence was pronounced.

The trial heard Hegarty was arrested near a massive explosives find at Longfield, near Carrickmacross, on November 10th, 1995.

Gardai had mounted a surveillance operation and followed a white Hiace van, in which Hegarty was seen, from Dundalk to Monaghan.

The van was later found at a derelict house near Longfield and contained a massive amount of explosives.

A gas cylinder containing explosives and other explosive material were found in nearby outhouses.

Forensic scientists told the court the explosives were in excellent condition and contained ammonium nitrate, calcium carbonate and icing sugar.

In court yesterday Det Supt Michael Finnegan said 1 1/2 tonnes of explosives had been found in the van and outhouses.

Experts had said the find had the capacity to do "enormous damage", he added.

Det Supt Finnegan said Hegarty had several previous convictions including one in connection with explosives for which he was jailed for three years in 1974.

He said Hegarty had been on bail on a charge of larceny of a jeep when he was arrested for the offences before the court.

Hegarty had subsequently been jailed for 15 months in connection with the larceny charge, he said.

Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Johnson said the court took into account that Hegarty had previous convictions including one in connection with explosives.

It also took into account he was on bail when he committed the offences with which the court was dealing.

The judge noted that Hegarty had offered no evidence in the case.

In addition, Hegarty had not acknowledged the court's request about whether he wished to seek legal advice regarding sentence or to call evidence on his own behalf.