A computer technician who stored explosives components for the "Real IRA" in Dublin was jailed for six years by the Special Criminal Court yesterday. Paul McIntyre, a 22-year-old father of one, of Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of an explosive substance, including nine lengths of improvised detonating cord, time and power units, circuitry and other bomb-making equipment, at Great Strand Street, Dublin, on May 2nd last.
Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan, presiding, asked McIntyre's counsel, Mr Paul McDermott SC, if his client was prepared to give a sworn undertaking to the court to sever his connections with the "Real IRA".
After several minutes' consultation, Mr McDermott said that his client was not in a position to give such an undertaking.
Mr Justice O'Donovan jailed him for six years, to date from his arrest last May.