The Real IRA experimented with a new explosive device using propane gas and petrol and tested it at a remote area on Mount Leinster in Co Carlow, the Special Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Det Supt Diarmuid O'Sullivan, of the Special Detective Unit, said: "They had modified a gas cylinder and endeavoured to put propane gas and petrol into it." He said the Real IRA in Dublin and Carlow were involved in extorting money from drug dealers to finance the organisation's activities. He said Carlow man Patrick Dermody was intercepted by gardaí as he went on a mission to shoot an individual from whom the Real IRA leader in Carlow had demanded €10,000.
The money had not been paid and Dermody had failed to carry out the shooting on a previous occasion, which had angered the Real IRA leader. Dermody had shown gardaí the location on Mount Leinster where the Real IRA had tried to get the new device to explode.
Dermody was jailed for seven years yesterday for offences connected with the Real IRA activities in Co Carlow.
Dermody (20), New Road, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, admitted the unlawful possession of an improvised explosive device at Mount Leinster, Co Carlow, between October 1st and October 8th last year.
He also pleaded guilty to having a double-barrelled shotgun and eight shotgun cartridges with intent to endanger life at Garrydundon, Carlow, on October 25th last year.
He was also convicted last week of membership of an unlawful organisation on October 26th last year.
Det Supt O'Sullivan said two Real IRA units in Dublin and Carlow were involved in the extortion of money from drug dealers.
Gardaí had information that Dermody would be driving a stolen motorbike in the Carlow area, he said. When they tried to stop him, he drove off and later crashed the bike. Gardaí recovered a backpack from the scene of the crash that contained a sawn-off shotgun and eight shotgun cartridges. Dermody was arrested the following day.
The court sentenced Dermody to seven years for possession of the shotgun and ammunition, five years for possession of explosives and four years for IRA membership and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.