Former Royal Marine Kiaran Maxwell stashed anti-personnel mines, mortars, ammunition and 14 pipe bombs - four of which were later used - in 43 purpose-built woodland hides at eight locations in Northern Ireland and England.
Bomb-making materials were found in barrels and buckets buried in the ground as well as an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card, a PSNI uniform and a police stab-proof vest.
Maxwell was driven by 'republican sympathies and a hostility to the UK' and the lasting effects of a sectarian attack that left him with a fractured skull when he was 16, the court heard.
Questions have now been raised as to how someone with a background of Republican sympathies passed vetting for the Marines - as police admit it is likely that more of his bombs remain in the hands of senior Continuity IRA members.
The 31-year-old, who is originally from Larne in Co Antrim and was with 40 Commando based at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton, Somerset, at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts between January 2011 and August last year, possessing images of bank cards for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney said: 'I'm sure that you were and will remain motivated by dissident republican sympathies and a hostility to the UK. Father-of-one Maxwell had researched 300 potential police, government and military targets before his plot was foiled when members of the public stumbled across his weapons hides by chance, the court heard. His defence barrister had previously told the court Maxwell 'feared violence' on a daily basis as he grew up as a Catholic in his hometown of Larne.
In 2002, he was 'beaten by golf clubs, iron bars and hammers' and 'left for dead in a field' by loyalists.
A doctor's report said Maxwell had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the immediate aftermath, which persisted into his 20s.
However a prosecutor said there was 'no direct evidence' Maxwell's offending was motivated by the beating.
Police still haven't found all the lethal devices constructed by Maxwell during his years of treachery in the ranks of the Royal Marines.
The Republican terrorist spy amassed an astonishing arsenal as he seemingly plundered military stores and ranges at will.
Only one other person has been arrested over the conspiracy and there are fears those who encouraged the bombmaker may never be brought to justice.
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