Three convicted of Real IRA weapons and explosives conspiracy seek damages

Three men from County Louth convicted of conspiracy to acquire explosives and weapons for the Real IRA are seeking damages in the High Court for a period of unlawful imprisonment. Fintan O'Farrell and Declan Rafferty from Carlingford, and Michael McDonald from Dundalk, were arrested in Slovakia in 2001 during an operation involving undercover British agents. They pleaded guilty in a London court in 2002 to conspiracy to cause explosions and terrorism offences, receiving 28-year sentences. Following transfer to Portlaoise Prison in 2006, the High Court ruled in 2014 that their continued detention was unlawful due to discrepancies between UK and Irish sentencing systems. The men now claim eight years of false imprisonment breached their constitutional right to liberty. The State defendants deny the allegations and oppose the damages claim. Justice Cian Ferriter heard proceedings on Tuesday, with the case continuing.