Jailed (from left): Damien Harkin, Jason Ceulemans and Neil Harkin.
Three Derry men caught transporting a mortar bomb in the city over two years ago have been jailed for a total of 30 years.
The device, containing 200g of Semtex, was found in a holdall in the footwell of the rear passenger seat of the car they were travelling in when it was stopped by police at Westway in the Creggan area of the city on 6 December, 2012.
The driver, Jason Ceulemans (42), from Lecky Road, and passengers Damien Harkin (48), of Westland Avenue and Neil Hegarty (49), from Sackville Court, admitted having an “explosively formed projectile-type improvised device” at Belfast Crown Court.
The mortar found by police.
Each was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of explosives.
They were also given concurrent four year jail sentences for possession of items for use in terrorism.
Each will serve five years in custody and five years on licence.
At a previous court, a prosecution lawyer said in view of the guilty pleas, two other charges, one of conspiracy to cause an explosion and, secondly, of possessing it under suspicious circumstances, should be allowed to remain on the books.
The court was told the three did not intend using the device themselves but there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction that their possession was on a “second limb” basis.
The court heard when the car was stopped, all three were dressed in dark clothing and Harkin and Hegarty were wearing two pairs of gloves, one over the top of the other.
Police believe the interception saved lives.
A spokesperson from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch said: “We should all be thankful that those in possession of these items were prevented from using them and the actions of police undoubtedly saved lives.
“Police will continue to combat the threat posed by dissident individuals and groups who plan to use violence to further their agendas.
“We would encourage people in the community to continue to work with us to reduce the threat posed by such reckless individuals so that we can bring them before the courts and keep our communities safe.”
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