I.R.A. bombers sentenced

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34152, 13 May 1976, Page 17

I.R.A. bombers sentenced

rv Z.P A -Reuter— Copyright/ I MANCHESTER. May 12. Five Irish Republican Army guerrillas sent to mainland Britain to wage guerrilla war were each sentenced to several terms of life imprisonment in Manchester yesterday. The jury took more than 21 hours to find them guilty on all of 55 charges, including conspiracy to murder and cause explosions, attempted murder and illegal possession of arms and explosives. After the five’s arrest in Liverpool last year, the police found a “bomb factory” stacked with detonators. fuses, and 225 kg of explosives. The group’s arsenal also included pistols, rifles, and sub-machine-guns. The guerrillas were led by Brendan Dowd, aged 29, believed to be one of the IRA’s highest-ranking officers in mainland Britain. Dowd was gaoled for three life terms and 129 tears. His accomplices were

■ Paul Norney. aged 18, gaoled I for five life terms and 66 ] years; Sean Kinsella, aged i 29, three life terms and 129 years, Stephen Nordone, aged 20, three life terms and 192 years; and Noel Gibson, aged 23, two life terms and 111 years. Passing sentence, the judge, Sir ’oseph Cantley, described the defendants as "these dangerous and disgusting young men.” He made no recommendation about minimum times to be served by the guerrillas, who shouted abuse at him and the jury. Ban still on The United States Food and Drug Administration has refused to reverse a ban on the controversial food and drink sweetener cyclamate, saying there were still doubts about its safety. A major cyclamate producer, Abbott Laboratories, had ■ sought permission to resume ■ selling the sugar substitute. ! The F.D.A. Commissioner (Mr Alexander Schmidt) said ihe could not assure the ■ American people that cycla'lmate was safe for everyday 'use. — Washington.