Police warn youths not to do '˜dirty work' of Dissident Dan

The figure was revealed in a social media post on the Craigavon PSNI account which appealed to young people not to get involved in violence.

Laced with its now trademark humour, the police post said: “Well in March and May, Dissident Dan and his mates had a few days out. True to form, Dan and his goons contributed to their communities in the only way they know how; with intimidatory gatherings, violence, disruption and creating fear for locals.

“They even managed to hit their arch enemies... disrupting the dreaded Belfast to Dublin trains!

“Unfortunately during that they also managed to drag several youngsters into the fray, encouraging them to get involved in violence and action against their own communities.

“Those youngsters were then abandoned by Dissident Dan and his mob to take the fall.”

The post added: “It is worth noting that many of those charged are not even from Lurgan.

“Finally, and most importantly, to the young lads out there who got involved in this or who were asked to get involved in this: let this be the warning.

“No doubt you were told by people you thought were ‘big men’ that they were with you, you were doing a good thing, and that you were defending your community.

“Well, those supposed men are nothing but wee boys, representing no one’s interests but their own and caring about no one else either. They won’t be with you in the dock in court. If you’re sent to jail they won’t be with you there. They weren’t with you during interview either.

“In court you may be given a second chance. If you are, use it...Don’t listen to the morons who slither about in shadows.

“They’ve abandoned you once to do their dirty work, don’t let them do that to you again.”