The sentence: Michael McKevitt remained in his holding cell in the basement of the courthouse containing the Special Criminal Court as he was sentenced.
Mr Justice Johnson, presiding, gave him 20 years and six years, to run concurrently, for the two offences for which he had been convicted.
It was more than two years and four months since McKevitt first appeared in the non-jury court on charges of directing terrorism and membership of an unlawful organisation. Since then, the leader of the "Real IRA" has remained in custody.
As a protest during much of his trial, he chose to stay in his holding cell rather than attend the hearings upstairs, from which he had dismissed his legal team. Yesterday, however, the 53-year-old father of five ended his self-imposed exile, at least temporarily.
Clean-shaven and wearing spectacles, the Dundalk man climbed a wooden stairwell in the centre of the courtroom to enter the dock. His head was uncovered, showing a bald pate and a tightly cut ring of grey hair.
Although stocky, there was no sense of menace to his gait. He wore a body-hugging polo shirt, bearing the colours and crest of his home county, but tucked the bottom of the jersey into his white slacks, which displayed a neat crease on each leg.
Speaking in an even tone, without a trace of emotion, McKevitt declared: "I would like to apply for leave to appeal." The application was refused.
"That's fine," he replied. The answer came as no surprise.
He next applied for legal aid, and this was granted.
He mentioned the name of a solicitor whom he wished to have represent him but was promptly told by Mr Justice Johnson: "That's your business."
Less than a dozen people sat in the public gallery, most claiming to have come out of curiosity.McKevitt studied a folder in his hands. For a moment, it seemed like he was building up to a speech.
Instead, he asked one more question - as to whether the court had taken into account that he had been in custody since March 29th, 2001.
Mr Justice Johnson said it had.
"That's fine," replied McKevitt before he was led away. He left, in the back of a Garda van for Portlaoise Prison.
