Courts

Tyrone man sentenced to six years over car bomb attack on police officer

Gavin Coyle pleaded guilty to membership of the IRA and to providing his car for the purpose of terrorism

Belfast Crown Court: during the sentencing hearing, it was said that while Coyle supplied his car, he did not know the precise action that was to be carried out

Rebecca Black and Claudia Savage
Fri Oct 6 2023 - 16:33

A Co Tyrone man has been sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to offences connected to an attempt by dissident republicans to kill a police officer.

Gavin Coyle, 46, of Mullaghmore Drive in Omagh, will be eligible for release after four years.

Earlier this year, Coyle pleaded guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army between May 1st, 2007 and May 13th, 2008. He also pleaded guilty to providing property to be used for the purpose of terrorism, his Audi A4 car, on May 11th, 2008.

That car was used in the dissident operation to plant a bomb under the car of a serving police officer.

READ MORE

On May 12th, 2008, a police officer was seriously injured after a bomb planted under their car exploded near Castlederg as they drove to work. The Tyrone brigade of the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the bomb.

During a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, it was said that while Coyle supplied his car, he did not know the precise action that was to be carried out.

The court heard the officer had got into their car which had been in their driveway and set off for work. During the journey, a bomb attached underneath the driver’s seat of the car exploded.

“The windows of the car shattered, and various parts of the vehicle became dislodged, somehow he managed to take control of the vehicle and bring it to a halt,” Judge Patricia Smyth told the sentencing hearing.

“He recalled looking down and seeing his jeans were ripped, there was blood everywhere.

“He managed to unbuckle his seat belt and exit the car, he began making his way along the road shouting for help... it was clear he was in a lot of pain. He collapsed on the side of the road as a result of his injuries which were serious and substantial.”

The vehicle later exploded.

The officer was described as having been left with permanent disfiguring injuries, battling mental ill health and lost his home with serious financial consequences.

In sentencing, Judge Smyth took into account the guilty pleas, which avoided the need for a lengthy trial.

Reacting outside court, Det Insp Hazel Miller of the PSNI’s major investigation team, welcomed the sentencing.

“This was a cowardly, calculated and cold-blooded attack, carried out with one aim: to take the life of a police officer. Today, Coyle has been held accountable for his role in this nightmarish attack.” - PA

LATEST STORIES