A LORRY driver, one of 15 men charged at Craigavon Magistrates' Court yesterday with riotous behaviour in Drumcree, Portadown, Co Armagh, last July 10th, was fined £400 by Mr John Meehan RM.
Mark Niall McKinney (31), Alexandra Gardens, Portadown, admitted the charge, and a lawyer for the DPP said McKinney admitted having rioted when shown a video.
McKinney was said by his counsel to have admitted the offence even before seeing the video, and had apologised to the police. He said McKinney employs seven people and earns £400 a week.
Norman Dale Rae (34), unemployed, James Street, Portadown, was given a conditional discharge for two years on admitting he took part in the riot, after the prosecution said he had been seen throwing an object towards the police.
Defence solicitor, Mr Gus Campbell, said the defendant committed the offence when feelings were running high.
A conditional discharge was granted to Stacey Bridgett (18), Donard Walk, Portadown, who was said by the prosecution to have been seen throwing a stone at RUC Land-Rovers.
His solicitor, Mr Hugo Marley, said the defendant, attending the local technical college, had no record of previous convictions.
Mervyn Robert Robinson (25), civil servant, Orangefield Drive, Armagh, was fined £100 when the court was told he had thrown a stone at the police.
His solicitor, Mr Jerome Haughey, said Robinson had consumed "a few beers" on the occasion in question.
Sentence of two months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, was imposed when Noel Harrison (32), Houston Park, Lurgan, admitted rioting and was said by the prosecution to have been seen waving a flag and gesturing towards police Land rovers.
Riotous behaviour charges against two other men were withdrawn by the DPP. One was adjourned for community service reports, and seven others, all of them again charged with riotous behaviour, were adjourned for contests during April, May and June.