Larne dissident republican sentenced to 29 years over "lethal terror haul"

By Q Radio news

A Larne man who worked with a Royal Marine to manufacture explosives which were then concealed in hides was handed a sentence totalling 29 years today (Monday).

As he handed Niall Lehd a 24-year sentence, with an extended period of five years licence imposed, Judge Stephen Fowler QC said the explosives and other weapons were intended to be passed on to violent dissident Republicans.

The 32-year old father-of-three, from Seahill Road, was arrested in 2016 after being implicated by ex-Marine and fellow Larne man Ciaran Maxwell.

The two men grew up in the same Catholic housing estate in the predominately loyalist town, and after Maxwell joined the Royal Marines in September 2010, he and Lehd met regularly when he was home on leave.

(Niall Lehd who was given a sentence of 29 years)

Following the discovery of various well constructed hides in and around Larne in 2016 - which contained items including pipe bombs, ammunition, explosive substances, timing units, flares and an anti-personnell mine - Lehd was arrested after being implicated by Maxwell.

Despite his initial denials of involvement, Lehd admitted a charge of engaging in the preparation of terrorists acts between January 1, 2011 and February 28, 2013.

Describing Lehd as a man who held "Republican sympathies from an early age", Judge Fowler said he "wilfully engaged in the preparation and storage of explosive devices" which capable of causing "multiple murders."

The Judge also revealed that some of the explosives found had never been located or used in Northern Ireland before.

Setting out the background to the case against Lehd, Judge Fowler said he already served a sentence for a terrorist offence linked to the caches.

In February 2013, police in Larne located a rucksack containing explosives and other items.

Lehd was arrested and when questioned about the items, he said he found them in two blue barrels in a field off the Old Glenarm Road in Larne.

Lehd was subsequently convicted of possessing explosives in 2014 and served a six-year sentence.

In March 2016, a blue barrel containing explosives and other items was found by a member of the public.

Maxwell was linked to the discovery and implicated his friend, claiming Lehd was involved from 2011 up to his arrest in February 2013.

Maxwell also alerted police to the location of seven other hides, including one at Carnfunock Country Park.

He provided two statements detailing information that Lehd was jointly involvement in a terrorist enterprise.

The former Marine was subsequently handed a sentence totalling 23 years for terrorist offences at the Old Bailey in London.

As he sentenced Lehd at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Fowler revealed how the two friends worked together to "perfect their skills" by both making and obtaining explosives devices which they then concealed in various hides they constructed.

Judge Fowler said he was satisfied the devices were intended to be handed to dissident Republicans, adding many of the items were "lethal in nature."

The Belfast Recorder noted that Lehd has already served a sentence which was linked to the same arms cache.

However, the Judge said Lehd had "failed to tell the truth" when he was arrested in 2013 - choosing instead to protect the presence of the hides from police.

Three pipe bombs linked to the discoveries in Larne were later deployed by dissidents in Northern Ireland - but Judge Fowler said "none of them were deployed when the accused (Lehd) was involved" and none caused injury.

As he jailed Lehd, Judge Fowler spoke of the "murderous intent" regarding the items seized - many of which were ready to use.

Judge Fowler also highlighted the "careful planning, research and sophistication involved in manufacturing explosives never seen in Northern Ireland before."

The Judge said it was his view Lehd's involvement was "cut short" by his arrest in 2013.

Revealing he had taken into account Lehd's immaturity at the time of offending and the sentence he has already served, Judge Fowler accepted Lehd has not offending since his arrest.

He did, however, cite Lehd's "pivotal role" in the enterprise and his intention to provide violent dissident Republicans with "means to cause multiple murders."

As Lehd was deemed as a dangerous offender, Judge Fowler imposed an extended custodial sentence consisting of 24 years jail followed by an additional period of five years on licence.

Lehd may not be automatically released on licence after serving half his sentence. Instead, he may spend the full 24 years behind bars, and when released he will be on licence for a further five years.

During this extended period, he will be recalled to prison if he breaches any terms of his licence.

(A terror cache linked to Niall Lehd)