Five Irishmen convicted of plotting bomb attacks in Britain have been given sentences ranging form 16 to 22 years in a London court today.
Real IRA members, Robert (23) and Aiden Hulme (25) and Noel Maguire (34), had denied conspiring to cause explosions between January 1st and November 15th, 2001. Two other men, James McCormack (34), from Co Louth, and John Hannan (19), from Newtown Butler, Co Fermanagh, admitted the charge.
The three were convicted of causing explosions at BBC Television Centre, Ealing Broadway, west London, and in Queensway, Birmingham, in 2001.
In sentencing today, Mr Justice Gibbs said the bombs had been "designed as threats to the country as a whole" and it was a "mercy" that no one had been killed.
The judge dealt with each jailed member ofthe gang separately.
He told Robert Hulme: "You are are a young man who willinglyentered the conspiracy but were not one of the leading figures.
"You were given the specific task of holding the fort and looking after the explosive equipment on behalf of McCormack and others.
"You were not brought over to England until after the Wood Lane (BBC) bomb but you were part of this conspiracy."
He said Noel Maguire, nicknamed BD - brain dead - had made up for his low intellect by his force of personality. "You are capable of running a business, albeit illegally," the judge said of Maguire's diesel washing activities.
"You played a major part in the conspiracy, helping purchase vehicles and guide the taxi to its Wood Lane location."
Aiden Hulme's part in the plot came to an early end after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Ireland. But the jury had been satisfied hewas part of the conspiracy, said the judge.
McCormack played a significant and the most serious part in the detonation or attempted detonations.
"You acknowledge you were responsible for Hannan's involvement," the judge said.
Hannan "played a major part in the detonation or attempted detonation of the third device, which like others was a potentially dangerous, lethal device.
"You were only 17 at the time. Maguire arranged for you to come to England. After that you came under the influence of McCormack."
But Hannan's age and plea of guilty had helped reduced the sentence.
The men were arrested during a British Customs and Excise investigation into a "diesel washing" operation in Yorkshire. When Customs officials raided the operation, they discovered another car-bomb "almost ready to go".
Robert Hulme was arrested at Canada Dock, Liverpool, on board a ferry destined for Ireland. He was fleeing after hearing of the arrest of a member of the gang. Police in Northern Ireland arrested Aiden Hulme, McCormack and Hannan. Maguire was arrested at an address in Cornwallis Avenue, Edmonton, north London.
Robert Hulme was also convicted of possessing a timer and three detonators with intent to cause an explosion. Maguire was acquitted on the charge. Both Robert Hulme and Maguire were cleared of two other charges alleging possession of a hand grenade and a revolver.
Additional reporting PA