Eight-and-a-half years for putting bomb on bus

A man who put an incendiary device on a Dublin-bound bus and made bomb threats during the State visit of the Queen five years ago has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.

Donal Billings, aged 66, of St Bridget’s Court, Drumlish, Co Longford, was last month found guilty by the three judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court of the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16, 2011.

Speaking after the sentencing yesterday, Detective Inspector Pat Finlay, of Longford Garda Station, said the investigation shows the challenges gardaí face in relation to individuals intent on disrupting State visits.