Five men from the Waterside area of Derry were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court yesterday for their part in a vicious attack on two middle-aged brothers last year.
The brothers were shot on July 26th, 1998, by a group of masked men in their Garvagh Court flat in an attack apparently carried out following complaints that the brothers had been playing republican songs.
Mr Anthony Creane (53) was shot four times in the legs and groin, leaving him crippled for life. His brother, Francis (58), was shot in the knee and requires continual medical treatment for physical and mental problems.
Lord Justice McCollum said there had been a particularly active and vicious unit of the UDA in the Waterside which was involved in numerous crimes committed under the aegis and direction of the UDA.
David Pywell (24), Bonds Place, who also admitted a catalogue of other offences, including shootings, beatings and robbery, was jailed for 15 years for causing grievous bodily harm to the brothers. Lord Justice McCollum ordered that a four-year term for UDA membership should be served consecutively.
Richard Harper (23), Heron Way, and Edward Allen (30), Sperrin Park, were given similar terms, to be served concurrently. Stewart Macrory (19), Sperrin Park, and Gary Fry (21), Auglish Court, who had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm but had not taken part in the attack, were jailed for 10 years each.
James Jones (25), Kinsale Park, also Waterside, was given a four-year term for UDA membership, the only charge against him.