An Irish terrorist has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years for a hoax bomb plot against Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Dublin, Ireland, in 2011.
Donal Billings was convicted this week ofpossessing explosives and making falsebombthreats.
The 66-year-old planted a bomb on a bus and made a number of hoax bomb calls during the Queen's visit.
Dublin's Special Criminal Court heard that Billings called police with his warning in May, 2011 as the Queen prepared for the banquet with husband Prince Philip, Irish President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin.
He said: "I'm a member of the Republican Brotherhood, Squad A. Two mortars are set for Dublin Castle at 8 pm. This is for the Queen of blood and war of Iraq."
Days earlier, Billings had planted a pipe bomb on to a bus as it stopped at a train station on its way to Dublin.
Hidden in the luggage compartment, the bomb comprised a firework timer switch, a copper pipe stuffed with gun powder and a two-litre plastic bottle of petrol, the 'Daily Express' reported.
Billings then called the police, who managed to intercept the bus five miles from the city.
The court heard if the bomb had gone off, it would have resulted in the "complete destruction of the vehicle in question".
Billings was caught after police traced phone records and SIM cards.
"It recklessly exposed passengers, staff and members of the emergency services to very significant risk of serious injury or death," said Justice Tony Hunt.
Billings, an anti-royalist, has previous convictions for possessing explosives in Northern Ireland in 1973.
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