Stone could face 30-year prison term

NORTHERN Ireland’s Lord Chief Justice was yesterday preparing to tell loyalist killer Michael Stone how long he will have to spend behind bars.

The 51-year-old is back in custody after being charged with attempting to murder Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness when he launched an assault on Stormont while the Assembly was sitting on Friday.

Whatever sentence he may get for his latest offence, he could face 30 years in jail for his past deeds.

Stone was freed on licence in 2000 as one of 800 terrorists let out under the Good Friday Agreement.

With the early release licence now revoked by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, it will be left to the Lord Chief Justice to determine his jail term.

The trial judge handed down sentences totalling almost 700 years and recommended Stone serve a minimum of 30 years.

If Brian Kerr reinstates the whole sentence, Stone will be almost 70 before he gets out.

Stone faced five charges of attempted murder when he appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court at the weekend. He was also charged with possession of explosives with intent to endanger life, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of articles for terrorist purposes, including nail bombs, an axe and a garrotte.

Stone was remanded in custody until December 22.

As well as the charges of attempting to murder Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness, he is charged with attempting to murder two Stormont security staff and persons unknown.

Before being led from the dock Stone shouted: “No sell-out. No power-sharing with the Sinners, they are war criminals. Ulster is not for sale, no surrender.”

Stone was jailed in 1989 for the Milltown Massacre — his slaughter the year

before of three republicans and the injuring of many more in a gun and grenade attack on the funeral of the three IRA members shot dead in Gibraltar — and three other murders.