A dissident republican from Donegal has been jailed for having an imitation firearm.
Detectives from Serious Crime Branch welcomed the sentence imposed on Finbar Kelly, one of two men jailed after they were arrested in a police operation against dissident republican terrorists.
Kelly, 36, received a two-year jail term suspended for two years after admitting having an imitation gun and a statement from a drug vigilante group.
John Joseph McNally (47) from Belfast was jailed for 22 months after pleading guilty to having an imitation gun.
Police stopped a car in Newtownabbey on 30 August 2012 and recovered an imitation firearm. During a follow-up search at Kelly’s home a document which appeared to be a speech on behalf of a drugs vigilante group was recovered, containing threats to drug dealers and those involved in anti social behaviour.
Welcoming the sentences at Laganside Court in Belfast today, a spokesman for Serious Crime Branch said: “Some of our communities are terrorised by those who purport to be their protectors. We will do everything we can to ensure such criminals do not succeed. We would encourage everyone to work with us to ensure the rule of law is upheld and the threat of violence is reduced.”