A 31-year-old man has been jailed for nine years for possession of an under car booby trap bomb which was meant for use in an ongoing Limerick feud which has already claimed six lives.
Michael Scanlon, (31), St Mary's Terrace, Askeaton, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty to possession of an explosive device, possession of detonating chord, possession of a Sterling submachine gun and possession of 294 rounds of ammunition, at Loughmore Mungret on June 3rd 2003.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that the car bomb, explosives and the submachine gun were seized by gardai during a raid at a bungalow in Co Limerick last summer.
Det Sergeant Tom O'Connor told the court that the bomb was due to be used in an ongoing feud in Limerick city which has already claimed six lives.
Det Sgt O'Connor added that in excess of 150 violent incidents - connected to the same feud - were being investigated by gardai including the discharging of firearms in public places and into private houses.
The court heard that Mr Scanlon - who has 13 previous convictions — was a "willing participant" involved in the activities of this feud albeit he was a "late entrant".
Defence Counsel, Mr Brian McInerney, (BL) said his client had been "sucked into the feud late in the day" and that he feared retribution by the "high ranking figures" in the feud.
Mr McInerney said people at the top of the pyramid in this feud were "quite capable of going to any lengths to further their own purposes".
Before sentencing Mr Scanlon Judge Carroll Moran said he had to take into account the gravity of the offences which included possession of a bomb designed to be put under a car and kill several people.
Judge Moran said he accepted that the accused was a late entrant to the feud however he still saw him as a participant who furthered its activities.
"I have to take into account the gravity of the offence and that it was said this was connected to an ongoing feud in the city which has left six people dead and gardai investigating 150 incidents including the discharging of fire-arms into public places an private homes," said Judge Moran.
Judge Moran sentenced Mr Scanlon to nine years in prison for the two explosive charges and seven years for two the firearms offences.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.