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Here
we will examine and learn the Real truth about the so-called
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"Residents
Groups"
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Portadown
Facts about Brendan McKenna (Brendan Mac Cionnaith)
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A 24 year old Portadown man, found guilty of holding a Lurgan family hostage last year, was jailed for six years at Belfast Crown Court yesterday. Brendan McKenna of Obins Avenue, was convicted of carrying a firearm with intent, false imprisonment, and hijacking on August 5, 1981.
He
as jailed for six years for the firearms offence, for five years for false imprisonment,
and for two years for hijacking. The sentences to run concurrently. McKenna
(MacCionnaith) was born in Aghagallon, Co Antrim - not far from the Portadown/Lurgan
area. A father of four, he is a fluent Irish speaker who currently resides in
the Parkside estate in the Garvaghy district. He sits on Craigavon council as
an independent and revealed only recently that he voted Yes in the referendum
on the Northern Ireland peace settlement.
The
court was told that two masked men burst into the house in Churchill Park, Lurgan,
and demanded the keys of the family car. A gun was produced and one of the men
made off in the car while McKenna held the family of three hostage for almost
three hours.
Belfast
Telegraph 28 January 1997
The family's ordeal ended when a policeman called at their door to investigate, after the hijacked car was left unattended in the centre of the town. McKenna tried to escape when he saw the policeman, but he was caught and arrested. A green mask was found in his pocked.
Judge William Doyle said he had been convicted by 'most cogent evidence' and described the offences as 'horrifying'. No evidence was called by the defence."
Hostage taker and bomber
Brendan McKenna (Brendan Mac Cionnaith), "Garvaghy Road Residents Association" member and spokesperson: Took a Garvaghy Road family hostage while other republicans blew up a British Legion Hall in Portadown. Also included in the 12 strong Residents Association is Joe Duffy, an independent councilor for Craigavon.
Convicted of kidnapping, hi-jacking and arms offences. One summer he took upon himself the role of "speaking for the residents" during the Drumcree controversy. Does not live on the Garvaghy Road, instead he lives on a separate housing estate half a mile away.