Loyalist Michael Stone failed today in his attempt to overturn convictions for trying to kill Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
The Court of Appeal in Belfast upheld a verdict that his actions during a lone assault on Stormont in November 2006 were capable of constituting an attempt to murder the politicians. He was given a 16-year sentence.
Dismissing Stone's challenge, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said the 55-year-old had prepared an armoury, travelled to Stormont, and used explosives to create a diversion which would enable him to enter the Assembly chamber and seek out his targets.
Stone, who is suffering from arthritis, was wrestled to the ground by two security guards after bursting through the main doors as Assembly members were gathered inside.
The attack was captured by film crews and photographers who were there to cover developments in the political process.
As well as the two attempted murder charges, he was convicted in November 2008 on seven other counts, including possession of nail bombs, three knives, a garrotte and an axe, as well as causing criminal damage to the Stormont building.
During the trial, Stone gave evidence on his own behalf and claimed the attack had not been intended to kill or hurt anyone but rather was a work of performance art, designed to "put a proverbial rocket up the backsides" of the politicians. He denied he was an "egocentric killer with a penchant for publicity".
In the days following the attack, it was revealed that on his way to Stormont, Stone posted two identical letters to two newspapers, the Belfast Telegraph and the London Evening Standard, spelling out exactly what he planned and what he had with him.
Former UDA member Stone attained notoriety in 1988 after killing three mourners when he launched a gun and grenade attack on an IRA funeral at Milltown cemetery in west Belfast. He was released from prison on licence under the terms of the 1998 Belfast Agreement.