Two Meath men jailed over Derry bomb plot

Two Meath men have each been given a five year jail term for their role in a dissident republican plan to bomb a PSNI recruitment event in Derry.

Brian Walsh, 35,  from Drumree in Dunshaughlin, and 43-year-old Darren Poleon from Lightown in Kells, will also serve a five year period on supervised licence after their release from prison.

Belfast's Crown Court heard the pair were "caught red-handed" when they left a blast bomb in shrubbery around 20m from the lobby of the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry which was due to host a PSNI information event in October 2015.

The court heard the device was the same type of bomb that exploded outside Palace Barracks in Co Down the previous August.

Prosecutor Terence Mooney QC said the devices were "part of a terrorist campaign carried out in Northern Ireland ... a dangerous terrorist campaign", adding both Walsh and Poleon "at least supported the aims of a terrorist organisation."

Both men initially denied any involvement in the bomb plot, but subsequently admitted two offences.

They both pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property on 6 October 2015, and possessing articles for use in terrorism, on the same date.

The articles in question include a Satellite Navigation System, bolt cutters, a balaclava, binoculars, assorted gloves, hand held two-way radios, wigs, fake beards, a head torch and plastic adhesive tape.

Mr Mooney said the pair were stopped by police in Omagh on the afternoon of 6 October 2015 after a car spotted been driven erratically.

When police stopped the Ford Focus, Poleon was driving and Walsh was a front seat passenger.

The men told police they both lived in the Republic but had been in Northern Ireland to buy a car engine.

Mr Mooney said that when they were being questioned by police, both men were "extremely vague" about this alleged purchase.

The vehicle was searched and a backpack containing various items was located. They initially denied knowing anything about it, before Walsh claimed it was his.

The men were arrested on suspicion of going equipped for burglary.

When asked about the items, Poleon said a wig and false beards found were his wife's, and that she used them for entertainment at a nursing home where she worked.

Regarding the discovery of the device in Derry, Mr Mooney said the blast bomb - described in court as a "viable improvised explosive device" - was found at 11am on 9 October 2015.

He said the discovery was made the day before a PSNI event was due to be held at the hotel.

The data retrieved from the sat nav indicated that car had left Poleon's house in Co Meath on the morning of 6 October and the men were seen on CCTV buying a backpack at a supermarket in Cavan.

The data showed the car stopped at a roundabout close to the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry at 9.06pm and was disconnected for 30 minutes before the power was reconnected.

Mr Mooney said: "This is consistent with the bomb being placed in the car park by the defendants at that time."

He revealed that other data on the SatNav revealed a vehicle had been driven to two other venues - one in Belfast and one in Omagh - due to host PSNI information events.

The court also heard that information found on both men's mobile phones linked them to "people associated with Irish Republicanism" - including an image of a punishment shooting accompanied by the words 'bringing back old school' and 'dealers beware.'

A reservation was made in the name of Darren Poleon at the Waterfoot Hotel for 9 October, which was cancelled when the device was discovered.

Poleon's DNA was also found on the bomb.

Defence barrister Martin O'Rourke, defending Poleon, said the father-of-two has been in consistent employment since leaving school.

Karen Quinlivan QC, representing Walsh, said her client was undergoing treatment for a medical condition which has caused difficulties throughout his life.