Police at the scene of the attempt to murder a serving PSNI couple with an undercar booby trap bomb in Eglinton in June 2015
The 38 year old, from Lurgan, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment at Belfast Crown Court after he was found guilty of placing an improvised explosive device underneath a vehicle at the home of two serving police officers.
The trial judge described McVeigh as a “committed dissident republican terrorist” who had planted the bomb under the off-duty policeman’s car parked in the driveway of his home at Glenrandel, Eglinton “in the dead of night” on June 18, 2015.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said: “In the middle of the night on 18 June 2015, Sean McVeigh attempted to attach a bomb under the car of a male police officer when he was disturbed by the victim’s wife, who is also a serving officer.
“It was simply through sheer luck that the woman woke up, looked out her bedroom window and caught Sean in the act or two police officers could potentially have been seriously injured or murdered.
“Sean McVeigh chose to attack two officers who had selflessly chosen to protect their community and keep people safe despite the ever present threat posed by dissident republicans.
“I am thankful that despite Sean’s evil intentions, he was unable to take these people away from their families and destroy numerous lives all in the name of his warped ideology.
“Sean gave little thought to the community of Eglinton and his reckless actions could have caused devastating harm to residents living in the area if the bomb had exploded.
“Furthermore, the incident caused considerable disruption and upset to the local community, some of whom had to be evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night.
“Today’s success follows a rigorous investigation by detectives and I welcome the fact that Sean McVeigh is behind bars.
“His plan was to destroy lives and it demonstrates the ruthlessness and recklessness of those opposed to peace and who live for violence. Northern Ireland is a safer place with this terrorist removed from our streets.
“I would like to thank our colleagues in PPS and officers from An Garda Siochana who provided assistance in stopping Mr McVeigh when he crossed into Donegal as he fled the scene of the crime and their continued support during the criminal justice process.
“I would like to pay tribute to the local community for their ongoing support, the vast majority of whom want Northern Ireland to be a place where people can live together peacefully,” added DCI Caldwell.