The sentences imposed on two men convicted of transporting a bomb to the Border on the day of the referendum on the Belfast Agreement have been increased from six to 10 years
The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday granted an appeal by the DPP against the "undue leniency" of the six-year sentences imposed on Patrick McDonagh, of Cooley Park, Dundalk, and Kieran McDonagh, of Greenfield Court, Dundalk. The three-judge court substituted a sentence of 10 years on both men.
They were arrested by gardai as they were travelling towards the Louth-Armagh border on May 23rd, 1998. Both cars were found to contain a considerable quantity of explosive substances.
In the case of Patrick McDonagh, the car contained 501 lbs of explosive mix and Semtex. Kieran McDonagh's car contained 437 lbs of ammonium nitrate.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, Mr Justice Barron, sitting with Mr Justice Budd and Mr Justice Kearns, said: "This was enough material to manufacture a bomb which would have been larger and potentially more devastating than that subsequently detonated with horrific consequences in the town of Omagh about two months later."
Both men had been sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court last year.