A father-of-nine who admitted making and deploying tennis ball bombs was jailed on Wednesday for explosives offences.
Patrick Joseph Gerard McCann (42) was handed a three-year custodial sentence, with an additional 12 months licence imposed, by Judge Patricia Smyth.
Belfast Crown Court heard McCann has been the victim of two paramilitary-style shootings and has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and one count of making explosives under suspicious circumstances.
The first count relates to a search of his west Belfast home on September 29, 2019 during which the components of two pipe bombs were located along with firework fuses and a black balaclava.
A prosecuting barrister said that whilst the items found at McCann’s home - which he was forensically linked to - were not “fully functioning” they could be used, when constructed, as “antipersonnel weapons.
”The prosecutor said that when arrested following this search, McCann gave police a statement in which he denied being a member of proscribed organisation and denied making explosive devices.
McCann also spoke of his ‘hatred’ of paramilitaries and claimed the items located were for his own protection - the latter of which is not accepted by the Crown, who believe they were for “a terrorist purpose.
”The house at Glenbawn Avenue was searched again on May 17, 2020 when police seized two boxes of fireworks.
When interviewed about these, McCann claimed they were missed by police during the first search.
He said he had been shot by paramilitaries and the bang of letting off fireworks calmed him. McCann told police ‘I know that’s mental. I like lighting them.’
McCann was also asked during interview if he had been taking apart fireworks and using the components and powders to make explosives.
He admitted that he had made a number of tennis ball bombs which he said he threw against trees and which helped with his mental health.
The father-of-nine and grandfather-of-four said he had put the explosives into tennis balls and used the fuse from the firework.
This admission resulted in McCann being charged with, and admitting, making explosives under suspicious circumstances on dates between January 1, 2018 and September 9, 2020.
Acknowledging the only evidence regarding the tennis call bombs “comes from him in interview”, the prosecutor said McCann accepted making and possessing the “illegal items.
”The prosecutor added that whilst McCann had a criminal record, it was “modest and not relevant.”
In a subsequent interview with a Probation Officer, McCann spoke of ‘a strong paramilitary presence’ in west Belfast and that he had been threatened by dissident republicans.
He also claimed he was told to store the items and threats were made to both he and his family if he didn’t comply - and he took the threats seriously as he had been shot by paramilitaries in 2011 and again in 2017 which left him with lasting physical injuries.
Defence barrister Gavan Duffy KC told the Belfast Recorder his client has a “significant history in terms of his mental health”.
Mr Duffy said McCann had displayed “genuine remorse about his involvement in the matter which is reflected in his plea”.
The barrister also spoke of McCann’s “involvement with sinister people” around the time of offending, being both shot and threatened by dissident republicans and being “under pressure of varying types.
”The Belfast Recorder noted that in the intervening period since his arrest, McCann has not re-offended.
The judge also accepted McCann displays “emotional and physical ill health” which is coupled with a “traumatic history connected to paramilitary attacks.
”Regarding the items seized in McCann’s home, Judge Smyth said: “The defendant now accepts by pleading guilty to these offences, the items were not in his possession for any lawful purpose.”
Judge Smyth added that whilst it was accepted the tennis ball bombs were “not for a terrorist purpose”, the “only inference that can be drawn” for the other items seized - including the partially constructed pipe bombs - was possession for a “terrorist connection.”
She handed McCann a three-year sentence with an additional year on licence imposed.Before he was led from the dock and into custody, McCann was told: “Two thirds of the sentence will be served in custody and after that period has been served the Parole Commissioners will determine when you may be released.”