A REPUBLICAN WHO was caught with a bomb on a bus during the British Queen’s 2011 visit went on an 11-day hunger strike in Portlaoise Prison after falling out with senior IRA figures.

Donal Billings (68) was moved from the so-called political prisoner wing to an area for criminals earlier this month after a number of disagreements with cell mates.

He began refusing food and made a number of demands of the prison including that he be treated as a republican prisoner in a republican-designated part of the prison and the restoration of his visits according to political status.

None of his demands were met and sources have said that Billings is now back eating.

He was found guilty last year by the three judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court of the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011.

Billings was further found guilty of four offences under the Criminal Law Act 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that an offence had been committed.

He was convicted of making a false report within the State on 16 May 2011, that bombs had been placed at Busáras in Dublin and at Sinn Féin’s headquarters.

He was also convicted of making a false report on 18 May that two mortars were set for Dublin Castle, and with making a false report on 20 May that two bombs had been placed in the toilets at Cork Airport.

The Irish Prison Service said it could not comment on individuals.

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