Prosecutors consider unduly lenient appeal over Derry Londonderry bomb case sentencing

By Michael McHugh, Press Association

Prosecutors are considering appealing the sentencing of two men for planting a dissident republican bomb before a police recruitment event because it may be unduly lenient.

Darren Poleon, 43, from Drumbaragh, Kells, and Brian Walsh, 35, from Culmullen, Dunshaughlin, both in Co Meath in the Republic of Ireland, were given determinate custodial sentences of 10 years, half to be served in prison and half in the community under licence.

They left the device in hotel grounds ahead of the gathering of would-be new officers in Londonderry on October 9 2015, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) statement said: "The PPS is considering if there is a basis to refer the sentences handed down in this case to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they may be unduly lenient."

Unionist politicians have claimed the punishment was too light.

The men pleaded guilty to possession of explosives with intent to endanger life and possession of articles for use in terrorism.

They will be released from custody after five years to spend a further five in the community under licence, the PSNI said.

Police said the device was placed in the Waterfoot Hotel car park on the Tuesday evening but was not found until the Friday of that week.

It was made from a fire extinguisher filled with 1.5 kilogrammes of explosives, and was found along with a detonating system.

The culprits were sentenced at Belfast's Laganside courts complex on Thursday.