New UDA brigadier link to McColgan and Quail murders, "UDA expels south east Antrim brigade chiefs By Brian Rowan Thursday", PM praises Northern Ireland decommissioning moves, Three more Northern Ireland terrorist groups lay down their arms, UDA Brigade deny being involved in gang attack. The 47-year-old was beaten to death by paramilitaries in Carrickfergus in January 2020. The Belfast Telegraph called the move "a familiar loyalist pattern of events. [62][63], According to the Irish Times there are suspicions that the threats are in response to coverage of the murder of Glenn Quinn in Carrickfergus in January 2020. [61], The threats were condemned by Peter Vandermeersch of Independent News & Media and Seamus Dooley, assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists as did Amnesty International UK. [41] The decommissioning was completed at the same time as that of the republican Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA). Menu T … DUP Leader Arlene Foster “has been made aware by the PSNI of a threat issued against her by the South East Antrim UDA”, the party said in a statement this … Themselves. A rebel UDA unit is re-arming in a grim warning to rival drug dealers. He was holding court with his mob in a social club run by the UDA on his turf. The DUP leader said she believes the … But Gregg wasn't the first to be gunned down by his own. [38] As of 2014, the South East Antrim Brigade is no longer considered part of the wider UDA and their brigadier does not attend meetings of the organisation's ruling Inner Council. "He does drive a top range car, a BMW. This came within a few days of a £1m allocation to a conflict transformation project in loyalist areas. The New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG) was initially the political wing of the UDA, founded in 1978, which then evolved into the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party in 1981 under the leadership of John McMichael, a prominent UDA member killed by the IRA in 1987, amid suspicion that he was set up to be killed by some of his UDA colleagues. In 1987, the UDA's deputy commander John Mc… It was him, according to sources, who delivered the coup de grace on McCullough in revenge for the killing of Gregg. [8] The attack is commemorated in the song South East Antrim Brigade by loyalist singer Rab C, many of whose compositions were about the brigade and its leading members. [45] A Police Service of Northern Ireland officer was injured during the disturbance. EXECUTED: Fourth feud killing in four days as loyalist assassins murder UVF man in his flat. [43] As of 2014 Fisher was still identified by the Irish Independent as Brigadier, with the brigade reported as being in the process of rearming. "[36] The dissident branch was also revealed to have contained an informer after Jon McDowell, Tommy Kirkham's assistant, told the Belfast Telegraph that he was an RUC Special Branch agent in November 2007. The 21-year-old was once a foot soldier for Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair's infamous C Coy. At present the UDA leadership is engaged in a tense stand-off with its rebel South East Antrim Brigade. “The threats against Arlene Foster made by the South East Antrim UDA are reprehensible. [22], Gregg was not close to Johnny Adair but sympathised with his uncompromising attitudes and his anti-UVF views. [11] The two clashed frequently and, in 1993, Adair even threatened to kill English after English had suggested that the UDA should not claim the murder of Marie Teresa Dowds de Mogollon, which Adair's top hitman Stephen McKeag had perpetrated. The 45-year-old leader of the Ulster Defence Association in south east Antrim and another UDA member, Robert Carson, 33, were killed when their taxi was ambushed near the docks area of the city at 1015 GMT on Saturday. [63], On 25 November 2020 the Belfast Telegraph reported that the South East Antrim UDA had passed on a threat against one of their journalists. : It's both, say NI makers of new treat, Man suffers serious facial injuries after Lisburn assault, Police appeal after man stabbed in north Belfast, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left frustrated by late AC Milan equaliser, The Belfast Telegraph is a member of IPSO and subscribes to its Editors' Code of Practice. [2] A newer mural in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey and flags have updated the areas to include Ballycarry, Ballyclare, the rural hinterland of Ballymena called 'Braidside' and despite not being in County Antrim, the town of Newtownards. FIRST Minister Arlene Foster says the police have told her of a threat issued against her by the 'South East Antrim UDA'. [13] English was a strong advocate of political means and pushed for the UDA to call a ceasefire in the early 1990s, a position that was anathema, at that point, to Adair. Northern Ireland’s first minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim UDA. The brigade representatives refused to give any details about how many weapons or how much commercial explosives were destroyed during the day-long exercise. Adair was returned to prison two days later. [57], On 3 January 2019 police reported a baby in a pram narrowly escaped injury after homes were attacked in Co Down by South East Antrim UDA members. These were carried out under the Red Hand Defenders cover name, with some attacks also blamed on the Orange Volunteers who were active in similar attacks at the time. [citation needed] Since 2007 the South East Antrim Brigade has operated independently of the UDA following a fall-out. The South East Antrim UDA has allegedly issued a threat against First Minister and DUP leader, Arlene Foster, according to the PSNI. That was another UDA godfather, Tommy Herron, the victim of one of the first internecine feuds way back in 1973. Its declared goal was to defend Ulster Protestant loyalist areas and to combat Irish republicanism, particularly the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Snoddy was close to UDA leader Andy Tyrie and was recognised as one of his closest allies amongst the UDA leadership. [31] This was followed by two pipe bombs being thrown at Gregg's house and shots being fired at that of his friend Tommy Kirkham. [4] The Irish News described the brigade as 'powerful' and at one time being 'the most bloody and murderous gang operating within the paramilitary organisation'. [33] Members of Adair's C Company shot and killed Gregg the following month. Alan McCullough was forced out of the Shankill area in February after the murder of south-east Antrim UDA gang leader, John Gregg. Snoddy died from the illness in September 1988 and English immediately succeeded him. [44], In March 2014 the South East Antrim Brigade was widely reported as being behind a "rampage" in which up to 100 people, some of them wearing masks, attacked a number of residential properties in Larne. But that's as far as it goes. Under Fisher, the South East Antrim Brigade became close to the Shoukri brothers, who commanded the neighbouring North Belfast Brigade before being expelled from the UDA in June 2006. Mrs Foster said she understands the threat was issued because of her support for the family of murder victim Glenn Quinn. [35] In response to the criticism from the rest of the UDA leadership, Fisher withdrew the South East Antrim brigade from the UDA and reconstituted it as a separate movement. South east Antrim leader expelled from UDA The south east Antrim leader of the Ulster Defence Association and his advisor have been expelled from the organisation. [34] Adair would be removed from his position of power soon afterwards in a show of strength by the mainstream UDA under the command of Jackie McDonald. The violence that erupted in the East Antrim town of Carrickfergus on Saturday night 21 July was the latest episode in internecine UDA feuding. [61] At least one journalist was warned of a possible under car booby trap. A mural in support of the group lists its areas of activity as being Rathcoole (the mural's location), Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley and Whitewell, all of which are part of Newtownabbey, as well as Carrickfergus, the Shore Road, Greenisland, Ballymena, Whitehead, Antrim and Larne. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster has been informed by the PSNI of a threat against her from the South East Antrim UDA. During the course of the melee a Shankill Protestant Boys member managed to gouge out Gregg's eye. [21] Trevor Lowry (aged 49) was beaten to death in Glengormley by UDA members under Gregg's command on 11 April 2001 after he was mistaken for a Catholic. He was part of Adair's mob when the hardman leader of the SEA 'brigade' John 'Grug' Gregg was ambushed and shot dead in Belfast's docks after coming off the ferry following a Rangers match in Glasgow in February 2003. [51] Gilmore died the following day, with the incident described as part of an ongoing feud in the town. Under Gregg, the South East Antrim Brigade was linked to the killing of UVF member Mark Quail during Adair's feud with the UVF in 2000[23][24] although according to the BBC the killing was not directly connected to Adair's issues with the UVF but rather stemmed from a pub dispute in north Belfast between members of the two paramilitary groups. UDA blamed for Larne, County Antrim, 'rampage', UDA 'on a power trip', says senior police officer after attacks in Antrim, UDA's Larne mob attack was aimed at brothers who stood up to terror gang, Larne disorder: Third man is arrested after two are released, Killer of leading loyalist George Gilmore remains at large, 'Loyalist' critically injured in Carrickfergus shooting, High-profile loyalist George Gilmore dies after gun attack, Man arrested in Carrickfergus over murder of loyalist George Gilmore, "Man shot in front of son in Northern Ireland 'victim of UDA internal feud' | UK news", Police make another arrest over Colin Horner murder, https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uda-link-revealed-as-pair-jailed-over-inept-effort-to-buy-guns-on-dark-net-37613019.html, https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/baby-narrowly-escapes-attack-on-ards-homes-by-south-east-antrim-uda-37678486.html, https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/newtownards-south-east-antrim-uff-15632974l, "Colin Horner killing: Drama as four men are jailed for life - Belfast News Letter", "Loyalist terrorist group issues threats against two journalists in Belfast", "Police warn politicians about loyalist paramilitary threats", "Loyalist paramilitaries threaten politicians in North", "Loyalists threat against Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life journalist condemned", Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UDA_South_East_Antrim_Brigade&oldid=996365893, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 04:17. The Belfast Telegraph is a member of IPSO and subscribes to its Editors' Code of Practice [64], Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, "UDA member speaks out about threats and criminality - BBC News", "UDA rebels decommission and condemn McDaid killing". DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster said she has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim UDA. Northern Ireland’s first minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim UDA. [32] A bomb attack on Adair's house on 8 January 2003 was blamed on Gregg by John White. The UDA South East Antrim Brigade was previously one of the six brigades of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and are heavily involved in the drug trade. [46] Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton described the incident as a "power trip" by the brigade, and suggested that it was an attempt by the group to assert their dominance over the local community. [60], On 8 May 2020 a number of journalists working for the Sunday Life and Sunday World newspapers were warned by the PSNI about imminent attacks against journalists by the South East Antrim UDA. The south east Antrim UDA 'military commander' who ordered the murder of Geordie Gilmore in Carrick was the chief suspect in the assassination of Shankill UDA thug Alan McCullough. [56], On 11 December 2018 handguns bought on the 'dark net' by two Co Antrim men linked to a loyalist feud may have been destined for use by the South East Antrim UDA. The 47-year-old was beaten to death by paramilitaries in Carrickfergus in January 2020. Just three months later, back in west Belfast, he was picked up in a car by two UDA gangsters, one from north Belfast, the other from the Shankill. Gary Fisher, a close associate of Tommy Kirkham, succeeded Gregg as brigadier. [59], On 16 January 2019 four men were jailed for life for their involvement in the May 2017 UDA loyalist feud killing of 35-year-old father-of-two Colin Horner. He sought to portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier. [35], In 2007, the UDA's inner council expelled the Brigadier in the South East Antrim area and his political adviser after a long-running stand-off between the mainstream UDA and the South East Antrim Brigade. He's based in the Rathcoole estate, a UDA hotbed. [14], Gregg was released from prison in 1993. Ironically, again according to sources, the SEA 'brigadier' himself, a notorious drug dealer and gangster, was "hiding in plain sight". Snoddy was close to UDA leader Andy Tyrie and was recognised as one of his closest allies amongst the UDA leadership. A former UDA commander who died after being shot in broad daylight as part of a loyalist feud had been seen in the public gallery in a court just hours before he was gunned down. His assassination attempt had made him a loyalist hero and he quickly took over from English as brigadier. An alleged UDA leader has said threats against politicians “shouldn’t happen” after the First Minister received a warning from loyalists. Brawls between the two had been frequent and tensions had been growing between the UDA and UVF, leading to a drink-fuelled pitched battle between the two groups at the train station. Emergence under Alan Snoddy It is unclear when South East Antrim was first designated as a brigade area although its first recognised leader was Alan Snoddy and he held title of Brigadier by at least 1979. The south east Antrim UDA 'military commander' who ordered the murder of Geordie Gilmore in Carrick was the chief suspect in the assassination of Shankill UDA thug Alan McCullough. A week later McCullough's body was found dumped in a shallow grave on the outskirts of Glengormley. Adams was in a taxi near Belfast City Hall with some associates when another car containing John 'Grug' Gregg and two fellow Rathcoole UDA members pulled up alongside and opened fire on Adams. Amongst the Brigade's most notorious attacks during the Troubles was the attempted killing of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams in 1984. [50], On 29 May 2017 Colin Horner, a friend of Gilmore and former UDA member, was fatally shot in front of his three-year-old son at a busy shopping centre in Bangor, County Down. The latest move follows a meeting in the Shankill on Monday night which was called after the weekend killing of south east Antrim UDA leader John Gregg. [10] As the oldest member, English usually chaired the meetings of this Inner Council, although he often struggled to control UDA West Belfast Brigade brigadier Johnny Adair. The south-east Antrim UDA is a loyalist paramilitary organisation A threat made to Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie by loyalist paramilitaries has been condemned by his party leader. He's a real hard chaw. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also expressed his support. [55] Fisher was subsequently identified by the Sunday Life as brigadier, with the paper accusing him of ordering the shooting of Horner. Those expelled include the paramilitary ‘brigadier’ Gary Fisher, political adviser Tommy Kirkham, and the ‘commander’ in Carrickfergus and Larne. The UDA South East Antrim Brigade is one of the six brigades of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). [19] Gregg, who was noted for his sectarian beliefs, insisted that such attacks were necessary in order to prevent the "greening" of places such as Carrickfergus and Antrim, a process he claimed had already happened in Glengormley where the Catholic population had experienced significant growth. Mrs Foster said she … [28] This briefly occurred in late August when one of Adair's allies took command of the brigade, although this proved short-lived. The operation was targeting suspected criminality linked to the South East Antrim UDA. Mrs Foster said she understands the threat was issued because of her support for the family of murder victim Glenn Quinn. [16] In 2000, he helped to ensure that a proposal before the Inner Council to initiate the decommissioning of weapons was rejected. [49], On 13 March 2017 Geordie Gilmore, formerly a commander in the brigade until being stood down in 2016 following a dispute over drug money,[50] was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus. [3] The Guardian has identified it as "one of the most dangerous factions". [26] In response, three Woodvale UDA members went to Gregg and complained about the attack in a move Gregg saw as a threat. On 8 December, a bomb was found under Gregg's car, apparently placed there by one of Adair's allies from the Loyalist Volunteer Force. First Minister Arlene Foster has said she has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA). Adair had been trying to take over control of the whole of the UDA at the time, and a feud was simmering being his group and the south east Antrim one. 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The 47-year-old was beaten to death by paramilitaries in Carrickfergus in January 2020. [53] Gilmore had been targeted in an unsuccessful crossbow attack the previous August. In 2017 it gunned down for­mer mem­bers Ge­ordie Gil­more and Colin Horner dur­ing an in­ter­nal feud. [4] His deputy Rab Carson was killed in the same attack, with both men having just returned from Scotland where they were attending a Rangers F.C. [41] Accusations that the brigade has remained active continued, however, and in 2009, the mother of Jason Ballard, a 20-year-old Greenisland native subjected to a vicious beating at his home, claimed that the attack had been carried out by the South East Antrim Brigade, although they denied any involvement in the attack. In the 1970s the group favoured Northern Ireland independence, but they have retreated from this position. Northern Ireland’s first minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim UDA. [18], Although the UDA was officially on ceasefire, the South East Antrim Brigade remained active in late 1998 and early 1999, undertaking a series of pipe bomb attacks on Catholic properties. It is unclear when South East Antrim was first designated as a brigade area although its first recognised leader was Alan Snoddy and he held title of Brigadier by at least 1979. match. The mur­der of Mr Quinn, who for years worked at the Royal Oak in Car­rick­fer­gus, is the third killing car­ried out by the out-of-con­trol South East Antrim UDA in the past three years. [15] According to the Workers' Party of Ireland, English was stood down by the UDA after he had expressed willingness to enter into dialogue with them. [40] The process was confirmed as complete by the IICD and came in the last 24 hours of the Commission's existence. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry was among the politicians in the North to be threatened. He told author Ian S. Wood that he had only supported the Combined Loyalist Military Command ceasefire in an effort to ensure the release of imprisoned friends. [39], In 2009, the brigade claimed to have decommissioned a substantial quantity of guns and explosives in a single day in the presence of the chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD). The cold-blooded assassin is now the commander of the SEA 'brigade'. Ipso, An INM Website Adams was hit five times in the attack but the taxi rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he received treatment and survived. No one should have to … The DUP leader said she understood the threat was due to her support for the family of a man beaten to death. The likes of 'brigadier of bling' Jim 'Doris Day' Gray and John 'Bonzer' Boreland, murdered just last August in yet another simmering feud, were to follow. DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster said she has been made aware of a threat against her by the South East Antrim UDA. [25], However, in late 2002 a UDA member originally from the Woodvale Road who had moved to Rathcoole was attacked after it emerged that he was a friend of Joe English, the former brigadier who had since been exiled from the area by Gregg for his anti-drugs stance. A fortnight ago the latent feud between the UDA … SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also expressed his support. [42] In 2010, the Independent Monitoring Commission confirmed that the split between the Fisher faction of the brigade and the wider UDA had not ended. In a move that was not universally popular in the region, Fisher allowed the Shoukris and their ally Alan McClean to live under South East Antrim Brigade protection and even attend meetings of the brigade's commanders. The Ulster Defence Association is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. [27] The shootings raised some anger on the Shankill, where the three were well-liked figures, and Adair sought to exploit this as a method of getting rid of Gregg. It was formed in September 1971 as an umbrella group for various loyalist groups and undertook an armed campaign of almost twenty-four years as one of the participants of the Troubles. Sections, Police forensic officers conduct a search yesterday in Carrickfergus close to where George Gilmore was shot on Monday. In September a PSNI officer lost a notebook containing information on live investigations during searches in Newtownards linked to the South East Antrim UDA. But a veteran loyalist source in Carrick, where Gilmore was murdered at lunchtime on Monday, claimed last night: "It was that military commander who gave the order that Gilmore had to go. In the later 1980s Snoddy took ill with cancer and many of his duties as brigadier were filled by his ally Joe English. Mrs Foster said she understands the threat was issued because of her support for the family of murder victim Glenn Quinn. [29] Gregg was back in command by October, at which point he was one of the brigadiers who passed the resolution expelling Adair from the UDA for his involvement in the attempted murder of Jim Gray.[30].