Gavin Coyle jailed over Coalisland guns and explosives find

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-25746692

Version 0 of 1.

A County Tyrone man has been jailed for 10 years for having guns and explosives, and being in a dissident group calling itself the IRA.

Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Park in Omagh, admitted having four AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition along with explosives, bomb-making material and parts for improvised mortars.

He also admitted membership of a proscribed organisation.

Half of the sentence will be spent in custody with the other half on licence.

Coyle was jailed for six years for membership of a terrorist organisation and 10 years each for the guns and explosive charges, to run concurrently.

The weapons were uncovered during searches of industrial units at Mountjoy Road near Coalisland in April 2011.

The judge said she was giving Coyle credit for pleading guilty to what was "a contestable case" and she recognised that he was storing the guns and explosives for others who intended to use them.