A former IRA member, already serving time for his role in the 1998 Omagh bombing, has been handed an additional prison sentence for conspiring to murder a police officer in Northern Ireland.
The defendant, whose identity remains protected, was found guilty of plotting to assassinate a high-ranking officer in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The plan involved the use of a car bomb, similar to the tactics employed during the Troubles.
Details of the Plot
According to court documents, the accused had been under surveillance for months before authorities intercepted communications detailing the planned attack. The prosecution argued that the plot was a deliberate attempt to reignite sectarian tensions in the region.
The defendant, who was already imprisoned for his involvement in the Omagh bombing—which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins—was described by the judge as a "continued threat to public safety."
Police Response
The PSNI praised the work of counter-terrorism units in thwarting the plot. A spokesperson stated, "This sentencing sends a clear message that those who seek to harm our officers will face the full force of the law."
Security measures for police personnel in Northern Ireland have been heightened following the verdict, with additional patrols and intelligence operations underway.
Historical Context
The Omagh bombing remains one of the deadliest attacks in Northern Ireland's history, carried out by the Real IRA, a dissident republican group. The latest case highlights ongoing concerns about residual paramilitary activity in the region.
Experts warn that while the Good Friday Agreement brought relative peace, small factions continue to pose a threat to stability.
