Real IRA bomber Aiden Hulme given suspended sentence for driving at Gardaí in Dundalk
Aiden Hulme, 48, a former Real IRA bomber, drove at two Gardaí at a mandatory checkpoint on Racecourse Road in Dundalk on 8 October 2017, triggering a high-speed pursuit from Dundalk to Newry during which he lost control of his car several times. Both Gardaí, Diarmuid Coakley and Joseph Gibney, pulled him from the vehicle through the sunroof and alerted the PSNI. Hulme, who had been released from prison in 2015 after 13 years due to a remission error following his 2003 Old Bailey conviction for the 2001 London and Birmingham bombings, was convicted at Dundalk Circuit Court of endangering Gardaí and three counts of dangerous driving. On 10 July 2025, Judge Dara Hayes sentenced him to three years' imprisonment suspended for three years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Aiden Hulme, 48, a former Real IRA bomber, drove at two Gardaí at a mandatory checkpoint, triggering a high-speed pursuit from Dundalk to Newry during which he lost control of his car several times.
- Where
- The incident occurred on Racecourse Road in Dundalk, County Louth.
- When
- The incident occurred on 8 October 2017.
- Cause
- Hulme was driving a black Hyundai coupe at a checkpoint where Gardaí Diarmuid Coakley and Joseph Gibney were standing with blue lights activated.
- Investigation
- Both Gardaí pulled Hulme out of the car through the sunroof and alerted the PSNI.
- Charges
- Hulme was convicted of endangering Gardaí and three counts of dangerous driving.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court before Judge Dara Hayes.
- Sentence
- On 10 July 2025, Judge Hayes sentenced Hulme to three years' imprisonment suspended for three years.
- Other details
- Hulme was convicted in 2003 at the Old Bailey in London of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life and possessing explosions, in relation to bombings in London and Birmingham in 2001, and was one of six men sentenced to 20 years.
- He was released after 13 years in 2015 due to an error in remission dates.
- Hulme had his leg amputated in a motorbike accident and has 10 previous convictions.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHulme was a member of the Real IRA (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme was convicted in 2003 at the Old Bailey in London of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life and possessing explosions (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme and five others were convicted in relation to a bomb attack outside the BBC television centre in Shepherd's Bush, London in March 2001 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThey were also convicted in relation to bombings of Ealing Broadway tube station in London in August 2001 and Smallbrook, Queensway, Birmingham in November 2001 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme was one of six men sentenced to 20 years in prison (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was released after 13 years in 2015 due to an error in remission dates (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHis release was sudden and he went wild, drinking excessively, and was out of control (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme had his leg amputated in a motorbike accident (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme was driving a black Hyundai coupe at the checkpoint (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA high-speed pursuit from Dundalk to Newry followed, during which Hulme lost control of the car several times (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoth Gardaí pulled Hulme out of the car through the sunroof and alerted the PSNI (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHulme has 10 previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGarda Diarmuid Coakley and Garda Joseph Gibney were standing at a mandatory checkpoint with blue lights activated (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 8 October 2017 at Racecourse Road in Dundalk (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHulme was convicted of endangering Gardaí and three counts of dangerous driving (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court before Judge Dara Hayes (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Hayes noted there is limited mitigation and no indication Hulme accepted the jury's verdict (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHulme was sentenced to three years' imprisonment suspended for three years (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jul2025Real IRA bomber freed by prison error learns fate after driving at Gardai
Reports the sentencing of Aiden Hulme by Judge Dara Hayes, including background on his 2003 Old Bailey Real IRA convictions, his early release in 2015 due to a remission error, and the circumstances of the 2017 checkpoint incident.
convicted, Aiden Hulme, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aiden Hulmevictim, Diarmuid Coakley, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid Coakleyvictim, Joseph Gibney, irish (judged from name)Joseph Gibney