Bomb plot Real IRA members jailed

LONDON, England -- Three members of the dissident Irish republican group, the Real IRA, have each been jailed for 30 years for plotting a bombing campaign.

The men -- trapped trying to buy arms in an undercover MI5 sting last year -- were "at or near the heart" of the organisation that carried out the Omagh bombing, in which 29 people died, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Sentencing Fintan Paul O'Farrell, 39, Declan John Rafferty, 42, and Michael Christopher McDonald, 44, all from Co Louth, Republic of Ireland, Mr Justice Astill said: "Whatever justification you can find in your hearts and minds for the killing and maiming, it is the duty of these courts to reflect the public revulsion for the suffering and grief you impose on the innocent."

All three pleaded guilty last Thursday to conspiracy to cause an explosion in the UK or Republic of Ireland and trying to obtain weapons and explosives.

They were arrested last July following an elaborate six-month operation led by MI5.