The Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday jailed "Real IRA" leader Michael McKevitt for 20 years for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation. The court imposed an additional six-year sentence for membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann, commonly referred to as the "Real IRA".
McKevitt (52), Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, was convicted on both counts on Wednesday. He had denied both charges.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said McKevitt played a leading role in the organisation referred to as the "Real IRA". The court was satisfied the offences for which McKevitt was convicted were "planned and premeditated" and "caused serious harm to people and property".
The three judges at the non-jury court had contemplated a 25-year sentence on the directing charge, Mr Justice Johnson said. He noted that the "Real IRA" had a command structure, an army council and units in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It also ran secret training camps. The court pointed to the organisation's objectives, which were "to destabilise the peace process in Northern Ireland and to change its status by force".
Mr Justice Johnson referred to Wednesday's evidence from Det Supt Diarmuid O'Sullivan when he outlined incidents involving the "Real IRA" and the depth of McKevitt's involvement. The court said the fact that the offence of directing terrorism carries a maximum term of life imprisonment was indicative of how serious the Oireachtas viewed such activities.
Mr Justice Johnson said McKevitt "played a leading role" in the "Real IRA". He noted that others had been induced to join and participate in the commission of offences. The court pointed out, however, that the offences for which he was convicted were outside the date of the Omagh bombing.
"The court must not be seen to seek revenge for that atrocity, and would not seek to do so," the judge said. The court had found McKevitt guilty of directing the activities of a terrorist organisation between August 29th, 1999 and October 23rd, 2000, both dates inclusive, and of membership of the same organisation between August 29th, 1999 and March 28th, 2001.
In passing sentence, the court referred to a 14-year term handed down to Colm Murphy, the Co Louth man convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions in connection with the Omagh bomb. Mr Justice Johnson said the court regards the present case as more serious.
In sentencing McKevitt to 20 years, the court took into account his age, his young family, the period of time already spent in custody and the fact that he has no previous convictions. The court also said he should be afforded the chance to rehabilitate himself. Both sentences are to run concurrently and were backdated to March 29th, 2001.
At the start of yesterday's hearing, prison officer Ms Margaret Burke told the court that Kevitt was refusing to come up to court for sentencing and would remain in the holding cells. Mr Justice Johnson said if he wanted leave to appeal, he must make the application to the court himself.
Shortly after sentencing, McKevitt appeared briefly: "I would like to apply for leave to appeal," he said.
When the court refused the application he replied: "That's fine." He was allowed leave to apply for legal aid.