Derry/Londonderry man who admitted planting hoax devices outside homes jailed

By Q Radio News

A Derry/Londonderry man who admitted planting hoax devices outside the home of Independent Republican councillor Gary Donnelly and another man has been jailed at the local Crown Court.

Keith McClenaghan (41) of Moss Park in Derry admitted five charges including making explosives between April 7 and April 21 2019, planting two hoax devices and two charges of communicating bomb hoaxes to a journalist and the police on April 21.

The court heard that shortly after 6am information was communicated to the journalist and the pice about a device outside Gary Donnelly's home in Creggan and another house in Ballymagroarty.

McClenaghan identified himself to police and then turned up at the police station to say what he had done.

He told police he had left the devices at the front doors of the properties and added 'I wouldn't pick them up so I wouldn't.'

The court heard that there was widespread disruption caused both in Creggan and in Ballymagroarty with almost 60 homes having to be evacuated for more than 6 hours.

A report from a technical officer said the maker of the improvised explosive devices had known what they were doing but had left out any means to initiate an explosion.

McClenaghan made allegations about the other victim and said Gary Donnelly was a friend of his.

He said he had found out how to make the devices from the Internet and had intended to carry out his plan there weeks previously but lost his nerve.

Defence counsel Kieran Mallon said it was 'a most peculiar case' in that the perpetrator had actually identified himself to police.

He said his client had been 'open and candid' with police and said that he appeared to have issues with child custody arrangements.

Judge Philip Babington said McClenaghan had shown 'a complete lack of concern' for the disruption to the community.

He said it was apparent that the defendant 'never intended the devices to explode but did intend to frighten.'

McClenaghan was sentenced to two and half years in prison with one in custody and 18 months on licence.