Bomber jailed for 12 years

An Englishman who was offered €10,000 to plant a bomb in Limerick was jailed for 12 years today.

Sean Smith, 30, who has addresses in both Limerick and Brixton, south London, was found guilty of possessing an explosive device, a cortex detonating cord and a Sterling sub-machine gun last month.

After a four-day trial, the jury at Limerick Circuit Court also found him guilty of being in possession of cocaine worth more than €35,000.

The explosives, gun, ammunition and drugs were all seized at his Limerick flat during a raid following a surveillance operation.

When arrested on June 3, 2003, he claimed he was told he would be shot if he told gardaí about the bomb, which was intended to hurt up to eight people.

Smith reportedly had no knowledge of the gangland feuding in Limerick which has spanned more than 20 years. He denied all charges.