A paraplegic man was jailed for three years today for INLA membership linked to a plot to a kidnap a Cork businessman.
Edward Mc Garrigle (44), of Melmount Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin last July of INLA membership on February 22nd, 2008.
Sentencing was adjourned after McGarrigle, who has been confined to a wheelchair since 1984, fractured his leg requiring extended medical treatment.
McGarrigle and two other men - John McCrossan (48), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and Neil Myles (55), a native of Cork of no fixed abode - were convicted after a four week trial last July.
McCrossan and Myles were each jailed for four and a half years.
Gareth Dunne (25), of Clonard Road, Crumlin and Gerard Kelleher (29), Cathedral View Walk, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, were each jailed for four years after they pleaded guilty to the charge.
Detective Inspector Tom Maguire, Special Detective Unit, told the court that McGarrigle was shot in 1984 and since then has been wheelchair-bound. He said he has 66 previous convictions, mostly for minor offences. He was jailed for nine years in Belfast in 1993 for conspiracy to murder and was also given a suspended sentence in 2006 for unlawful possession of a firearm.
During the trial last year, the court heard that gardaí had prevented INLA activities, including stealing €1.6 million and the intimidation of Cork businessman Denis Maguire.
The court in its judgment said there was "background evidence of a well-organised plot to carry out some criminal enterprise in respect of a businessman and/or his family in Cork."
The intended target of the plot was Denis Maguire, who lived with his family at Lover's Walk, Montenotte, Cork.
The prosecution's case was based on sightings of the accused men meeting on different occasions in Cork and Dublin when they were under surveillance by the gardai.
The court heard that the five men were seen at meetings held in Dublin and Cork between August 2007 and February 2008. The intended target, Mr Maguire, returned home at 8pm on February 22nd in the company of two gardai.
Dunne and Kelleher were on the premises and they were arrested and searched. The coal-shed was also searched. A black-handled knife, duct tape, cable ties and two other black-handled knives were found. McCrossan, McGarrigle and Myles were each arrested later that day.
Sentencing McGarrigle, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the non jury court, said that the court had to take into account his "very serious condition".
The appropriate sentence would be five years but taking into account McGarrigle's medical condition the court would reduce that by two years and backdate it to July 1st, 2009.