"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 was jailed for six years for the firearms offence, five years for false imprisonment, and two years for hijacking. The sentences will run concurrently.

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.

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."