Former soldier gets five years for firearms offences

A 49-year-old former Irish soldier, who was also a member of the IRA and the INLA, was jailed for five years at the Special Criminal Court today for possessing a firearm on the night an INLA man was shot dead.

Richard Tobin, from Somerville Drive, Crumlin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a semi-automatic rifle on July 22, 1994, but denied murdering 31-year-old John Bolger on the same night.

The accused was arrested two days after Mr Bolger was shot dead in Clanbrassil St in Dublin.

He later moved to England, but was extradited in 1999 to stand trial over the killing.

The State entered a 'nolle prosequi' on the murder charge this afternoon.