Students jailed on 'terrorism' charges

Twin brothers who had been studying at the University of Ulster are among three men who have been jailed for offences involving a loyalist paramilitary group.

The offences they faced at Antrim Crown Court on Thursday related to a loyalist splinter organisation, the Orange Volunteers.

Mervyn Armstrong of Islandreagh Drive in Dunadry, Antrim, was jailed for a total of six years.

He had admitted having an automatic rifle and documents likely to be of use to terrorists.

His 22-year-old brother Paul Armstrong of the same address, was jailed for a total of three years for assisting an offender and having documents likely to be of use to terrorists.

The third man, 24-year-old Stuart Wilson of Scroggie Road in Glenavy, County Antrim, was jailed for a total of four years for having an automatic rifle, possessing documents likely to be of use to terrorists and membership of the paramilitary organisation, the Orange Volunteers.

A fourth man, Alan Lynn of Central Park in Antrim town, received a three-year sentence suspended for four years.

He had admitted to having an automatic rifle and possession of documents.