Real IRA leader loses appeal on early release despite yoga classes

A dissident republican leader sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for directing terrorism has lost an appeal against a High Court judgment refusing him early release.

Michael McKevitt (65), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for 20 years in 2003, backdated to 2001, for directing terrorism and for membership of an illegal organisation styling itself as the Real IRA.