'Chilling reminder of the past'

Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray said: "This is extremely disruptive, not just to those who lost their vehicles, but to the community and I would condemn the actions."

Councillor Michael McGoldrick said the trouble was 'deplorable'.

"I drove through the area and to see 14,15 and 16-year-old masked children is a chilling reminder of the past.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the residents don't support this," said the Portadown representative.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Kieran Corr said: "This is not a true reflection of the people of Meadowbrook and Drumbeg.

"There is a stigma to that area."

Councillor John O'Dowd said the action of a 'few' had no support in the community.

He added: "There is a small number of individuals who are claiming to represent the community.

"These people are not criminal masterminds, and there is a question as to who is working for who as there is a flow of information from the community to the police."