Pomeroy mother and Toomebridge man jailed over dissident training camp

Sean Kelly - whose offending came to light after he was placed under covert surveillance - was branded a danger to the public and was handed a indeterminate jail term after he admitted six terrorist offences.

The 49-year old grandfather, from Duneane Crescent in Toomebridge, was told he will serve a minimum sentence of five years, with an additional five years spend on licence when he is released from custody. In 1993 he was jailed for 24 years for the attempted murder of a RUC man, after he placed a booby-trap bomb under the constable’s car.

His co-accused, Sharon Rafferty from Cabhan Aluinn in Pomeroy, was handed an eight year sentence - half of which will be spent in prison with the remaining four years on supervised licence upon her released.

Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland QC said it was his view that the pair - who were recorded discussing terrorist activities over a six month period - played at least an “organisational or facilitating role” regarding the makeshift firing range, which was set up in Formil Forest on the outskirts of Omagh.

Due to this covert surveillance, the security forces discovered the presence of the training camp, which was attended by Kelly, Rafferty and two brothers on March 30, 2012. On this date, a .22 Walther rifle was brought to the range and target practice was carried out using balloons and a mess tin.