Leading Orangeman Mark Harbinson was one of four Orangemen, together with a part-time soldier, a footballer and nine others who were freed by the Crown Court yesterday for rioting at Drumcree in Portadown in July last year.
Although told by Judge Kevin Finnegan to count themselves "very lucky", some of those freed insisted that the matter had not ended with their guilty pleas to riotous assembly.
Judge Finnegan had earlier commended the Director of Public Prosecutions for bringing the case at Belfast Crown Court after being told by one defence lawyer of the men's "disquiet" at being prosecuted in the higher court, instead of the magistrate's court.
The judge had said that the attack on police, in the glare of the world's media, was "an outrageous episode" which had brought shame not only on the men themselves, but on their families and the Orange Order.
Judge Finnegan said that the clear message had to go out that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that, in this day and age, the police and the rule of law should be better supported if there was to be any hope for society.
However, outside the court 34-year-old Harbinson from Stonebridge Court, Stoneyford near Lisburn, who thanked the Orange Order for its support, said the DPP and PSNI should be trying to convict criminals rather than pursuing "15 law abiding citizens".
Harbinson, who was given a 12-month suspended jail term, said that the money given to the DPP and police "should be better spent on trying to convict those breaking into our old people's homes – than hunting 15 law abiding citizens who had every legitimate right to protest at Drumcree".
He was joined in his comments by 38-year-old Mark Wilson from The Beeches, Upperlands in Maghera, who insisted "this isn't finished".
Wilson, of the Ulster Protestant Movement for Justice, who was given a suspended 18-month sentence, said his group had already met Human Rights commissioner Brice Dickson to discuss the matter twice.
He added that it was hoped that between them a meeting will be held with the DPP "to argue this charge, that it is a sectarian charge used solely once in Northern Ireland against the Orange- men at Drumcree, and for an explanation from him (the DPP)".
Earlier prosecuting lawyer Jeffrey Millar described the 25-minute attack on police by a hard-core group of between 30 and 40, in which 32 officers were injured, five of them seriously, as "intense and very nasty".
Mr Millar said that police and army fired three baton rounds after coming under attack when a small crowd control barrier on Drumcree bridge disintegrated and collapsed as rioters surged forward in an attempt to get on to the nationalist Garvaghy Road.
Despite comments by some of the men outside the court, inside, defence lawyer Alan Kane said while the attack was "spontaneous" and not preplanned, the men recognised "it was wrong".
Mr Kane claimed they had "acted out of character" and that they were "normally law abiding citizens who got caught up in the heat of the moment".
Also given suspended jail terms, were Orangemen Ivan Russell (49) of Carbet Road, Portadown, given 12 months, while Paul Scott (27) of Ashfield Heights, Stoneyford and 39-year-old Paul Rea, Drumahoe Road, Larne were each given 18 months.
Russell's 25-year-old son Jonathan Russell, a part-time RIR soldier from Woodland Manor, Portadown was also given an 18 month suspended jail term.
Glentoran first squad footballer 21-year-old Jason Hill from Clareglen, Ballysillan, Belfast, who later told police he had "spoilt my life in 20 minutes", was bound over for a year as was 18-year-old Alan Cheyne of Rogan Manor, Glengormley.
David Cully a 44-year-old from Gosford Gardens, Markethill, who was injured with a baton round during the riot had his six-month prison sentence suspended for a year.
Freed with them on suspended jail terms ranging from 12 to 18 months were, David Gibson (30), of Milewater Way, Newtownabbey, Stephen Haire (27) of Queen Street, Lurgan, Thomas McAllister (38) of Jervis Street, Portadown, David Clements (37) of Urbal Road, Coagh, James McClean (25) of Glenbryn Park Belfast, and 39-year-old William Davidson from Sugar Island Road, Bleary, Craigavon.
