FOUR DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN SUSPECTS JAILED FOR HAVING GUN AND AMMO

Real IRA gang member Daniel Turnbull sentenced to nine years for having terrorist arsenal

Real IRA gang member Daniel Turnbull sentenced to nine years for having terrorist arsenal

FOUR men caught in a car with a gun and ammunition following a police surveillance operation into dissident republican activity were today (Monday) sentenced to a total of 36 years.

Disc jockey Darryn Patrick McCallion (25), of Rathlin Drive, L’Derry, Martin McLoone, (25), of Abercorn Road Derry, and Daniel John Turnbull (33), had earlier pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to possession of a firearm with intent on October 11, 2010.

Turnbull, of Strule Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone, also pleaded guilty to further counts on the same date of possessing a Sterling sub machinegun and ammunition with intent along with articles likely to be used in terrorism.

Mark McGuigan (29), of Sperrin View, Omagh, was found guilty at his trial last November of possessing a firearm with intent.

The four were caught in a Ford Fiesta car on October 11, 2010 on the Goritcashel Road outside Omagh, Co Tyrone.

In a green Celtic holdall police found a reactivated . 38 Webley revolver hidden in a sock.

Belfast Crownn Court had earlier heard that inside a second sock was a quantity of ammunition, including 13 rounds of .22 rimfire rifle cartridges and 20 rounds of 9 x 19 mm calibre cartridges.

Judge Corinne Philpott QC sentenced McGuigan to a 12 years, with six years in custody and a further six on licence.

The judge said: “McGuigan still denies responsibility for his actions. He has shown no remorse and does not regret his involvement.

“There is no information before this court that he has or wants to distance himself from these type of offences.”

The court heard that Turbull had now “seen the error of his ways” and was no longer part of the dissident republican wings in Maghaberry prison.

Judge Philpott sentenced Turnbull to nine years, with four and a half years in custody and the remainder on licence.

The court had heard that the day after their arrests on October 12, police carried out a search at 5 Mill Cottages in Greencastle, Co Tyrone and found a three-door Renault Clio car belonging to Darren Turnbull parked outside.

Inside the car, officers found a submachinegun and magazine along with 42 .22 calibre cartridges.

The search of the car also uncovered three sets of ballistic body armour, latex gloves, ear defenders and combat clothing.

McLoone, whose DNA was found on a Celtic bag, was sentenced to eight years, with an equal 50/50 split between custody and licence.

Before sentencing him, the judge had been told that McLoone had applied to join the dissident republican wings in the jail.

McCallion, who the court heard has distanced himself from dissidents in the jail, was sentenced to seven years, with three-and-a-half years in custody and the remainder on licence on his release.

 

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