Difference between revisions of "Ulster Defence Association"

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The [[Ulster Defence Association]] is a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1971 as an umbrella organisation for a number of existing loyalist groups. It remained legal until 1991.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/recent/troubles/fact_files.shtml?ff=p08 Ulster Defence Association], Northern Ireland: The Troubles - Fact Files, BBC, accessed 21 November 2001.</ref>
+
The [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA) is a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1971 as an umbrella organisation for a number of existing loyalist groups. It remained legal until 1991.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/recent/troubles/fact_files.shtml?ff=p08 Ulster Defence Association], Northern Ireland: The Troubles - Fact Files, BBC, accessed 21 November 2001.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Origin==
 +
According to journalist Martin Dillon, the UDA emerged during the early years of the Troubles out of conversations involving the unionist politician [[William Craig]] after he was rebuffed in meetings with the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] in 1970. he then turned turned his attention to the idea of a new paramilitary organisation with a legal framework, and held discussions with loyalist figures including [[William McGrath]], [[John McKeague]], [[Charles Harding Smith]] and [[Tommy Herron]].<ref>Martin Dillon, ''The Trigger Men'', Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.173.</ref>
 +
 
 +
In July 1971, Harding Smith, the head of the [[Woodvale Defence Association]] was involved in drafting a statement calling for loyalists to form themselves into armed platoons of 20 to be integrated into an incipient command structure.<ref>Martin Dillon, ''The Trigger Men'', Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.</ref>
 +
 
 +
The formation of the [[Ulster Defence Association]] was proposed in September 1971 as an umbrella organisation for the various 'Protestant Defence Associations'.<ref>Colin Crawford, ''Inside the UDA: Volunteers and Violence'', Pluto Ireland, 2003, p.20.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Structure and Personnel==
 +
According to the Pat Finucane Review, by Sir Desmond de Silva QC:
 +
::The UDA structure was divided into six geographical areas during the late 1980s (Londonderry, South-East Antrim, North Belfast, East Belfast, West Belfast and South Belfast).[11] Each geographical area was commanded by a UDA 'Brigadier' and sometimes also had a designated 'Military Commander', 'Intelligence Officer' and 'Quartermaster'. The six UDA Brigadiers formed an 'Inner Council', which held meetings that were sometimes also attended by other leading UDA figures. In practice, however, the degree of central control exercised by the Inner Council was limited: the Brigadiers supposedly in command of their areas sometimes had little influence over the younger gangs.<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch2">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter002/ Volume 1 - Chapter 2: The historical and political context], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
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===Chairman===
 +
*[[Charles Harding Smith]]<ref>Robert Fisk, The Point of No Return, The Strike which broke the British in Ulster, André Deutsch, 1975, p.355.</ref>
 +
*[[Jim Anderson]]
 +
*[[Jim Anderson]] and [[Charles Harding Smith]]<ref>Martin Dillon, ''The Trigger Men'', Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.</ref>
 +
*[[Andy Tyrie]] - 1973-1988.<ref>W.D. Flackes, Sydney Elliot, Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, Blackstaff Press, 1989, p.270.</ref>
 +
===West Belfast Brigadier===
 +
*[[Charles Harding Smith]]<ref>Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, ''The Guardian'', 11 August 1992.</ref>
 +
*[[Tommy Lyttle]]<ref>Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, ''The Guardian'', 11 August 1992.</ref>
 +
*[[Tommy Irvine]]
 +
*[[Jim Spence]]
 +
*[[Ken Barrett]]
 +
*[[Billy Kennedy]]<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.155.</ref>
 +
*[[Johnny Adair]] - 2002.<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[William 'Winkie' Dodds]]<ref>David Lister, Godfathers who threaten the peace, ''The Times'', 25 July 2002.</ref>
 +
*[[William 'Mo' Courtney]] 2002.<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[Jackie Thompson]] 2003.<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[Matt Kincaid]]<ref>Alan Murphy, Expulsions are two-fingers to mainstream UDA, ''Sunday Life'', 30 July 2006.</ref>
 +
====West Belfast UDA====
 +
According to the De Silva Review,  In West Belfast, the UDA were further sub-divided into 'Coys' and the [[Woodvale Defence Association]] (WDA). In practice, these structures were loose and highly changeable."<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch2">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter002/ Volume 1 - Chapter 2: The historical and political context], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 +
===North Belfast Brigadier===
 +
*[[Davy Payne]]<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.60.</ref>
 +
*John Reid, according to Ian S. Wood, possibly a misprint for Tom Reid.<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.</ref>
 +
*[[Andre Shoukri]] c.-2002.<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[Ihab Shoukri]] c.2003.<ref>Roddy McGregor, [http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2003/jul28_UPRG_unaware_of_threats.php  Gallagher 'not aware' of death threat to Shoukri], ''Irish News'', 28 July 2003, archived at nuzhound.com.</ref>
 +
*[[William John Borland]]<ref>Laura Friel, [http://republican-news.org/archive/2003/September11/11loy.html Mechanisms of exclusion], ''An Phoblacht/Republican News'', 11 September 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[John Bunting]]<ref>Brian Rowan, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/dissidents-furious-over-uda-leaders-on-queenrsquos-guest-list-16000505.html Dissidents furious over UDA leaders on Queen’s guest list], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 16 May 2011.</ref>
 +
 
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===East Belfast Brigadier===
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*[[Tommy Herron]]<ref>Ciaran De Baroid, Ballymurphy and the Irish War, Pluto Press, 2000, p.152.</ref>
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*[[Sammy McCormick]]<ref>Protestant Paramilitary Leaders Arrested, Associated Press, 14 April 1982.</ref>
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*[[Billy Elliott]]<ref>Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, ''The Guardian'', 11 August 1992.</ref>
 +
*[[Ned McCreery]] -1992.<ref>Angelique Chrisafis, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/oct/12/northernireland.ukcrime The death of Doris Day], ''The Guardian'', 12 October 2005.</ref>
 +
*[[Jim Gray]]<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
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*[[Jimmy Birch]]<ref name="BelTel22Aug2012>Brian Rowan, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/why-this-death-threat-must-be-taken-seriously-16200484.html Why this death threat must be taken seriously], ''Belfast telegraph, 22 August 2012.</ref>
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===South Belfast Brigadier===
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*[[John McMichael]]<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.118.</ref>
 +
*[[Alex Kerr]]<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.205.</ref>
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*[[Jackie McDonald]]<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
===South-East Antrim Brigadier===
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*[[Alan Snoddie]] -1988.<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.136.</ref>
 +
*[[Joe English]]<ref>Ian S. Wood, ''Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.</ref>
 +
*[[John "Grugg" Gregg]] -2003.<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
*[[Gary Fisher]]<ref>Brian Rowan, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uda-expels-south-east-antrim-brigade-chiefs-13428608.html UDA expels south east Antrim brigade chiefs], ''Belfast Telegraph, 29 March 2007.</ref>
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===Londonderry and North Antrim Brigadier===
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*[[Billy McFarland]]<ref name="ToomanyChiefs">Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/feb/04/northernireland.northernireland Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed], ''The Guardian, 4 February 2003.</ref>
 +
 
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==External Resources==
 +
*Pat Finucane Centre, [http://www.patfinucanecentre.org/declassified/uda.html The Security Forces and the UDA]
 +
*Owen Boycott, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/11/army-softer-line-loyalists-files MoD took softer line on loyalist paramilitaries, secret files reveal], The Guardian, 11 October 2010.
 +
*Chris Kilpatrick, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/loyalists-hold-picket-as-uda-split-deepens-29797354.html Loyalists hold picket as UDA split deepens], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 30 November 2013.
 +
*Brian Rowan, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/as-uda-confirms-major-split-a-dangerous-tussle-for-power-is-now-brewing-29811472.html As UDA confirms major split, a dangerous tussle for power is now brewing], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 5 December 2013.
 +
*Chris Kilpatrick, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/uda-feud-escalates-over-bid-to-oust-north-belfast-brigadier-john-bunting-29821218.html UDA feud escalates over bid to oust north Belfast 'brigadier' John Bunting], Belfast Telegraph, 10 December 2013.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
[[Category:Northern Ireland]]
+
[[Category:Northern Ireland]][[Category:UDA]][[Category:State Violence and Collusion Project]]

Latest revision as of 07:38, 11 December 2013

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1971 as an umbrella organisation for a number of existing loyalist groups. It remained legal until 1991.[1]

Origin

According to journalist Martin Dillon, the UDA emerged during the early years of the Troubles out of conversations involving the unionist politician William Craig after he was rebuffed in meetings with the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1970. he then turned turned his attention to the idea of a new paramilitary organisation with a legal framework, and held discussions with loyalist figures including William McGrath, John McKeague, Charles Harding Smith and Tommy Herron.[2]

In July 1971, Harding Smith, the head of the Woodvale Defence Association was involved in drafting a statement calling for loyalists to form themselves into armed platoons of 20 to be integrated into an incipient command structure.[3]

The formation of the Ulster Defence Association was proposed in September 1971 as an umbrella organisation for the various 'Protestant Defence Associations'.[4]

Structure and Personnel

According to the Pat Finucane Review, by Sir Desmond de Silva QC:

The UDA structure was divided into six geographical areas during the late 1980s (Londonderry, South-East Antrim, North Belfast, East Belfast, West Belfast and South Belfast).[11] Each geographical area was commanded by a UDA 'Brigadier' and sometimes also had a designated 'Military Commander', 'Intelligence Officer' and 'Quartermaster'. The six UDA Brigadiers formed an 'Inner Council', which held meetings that were sometimes also attended by other leading UDA figures. In practice, however, the degree of central control exercised by the Inner Council was limited: the Brigadiers supposedly in command of their areas sometimes had little influence over the younger gangs.[5]

Chairman

West Belfast Brigadier

West Belfast UDA

According to the De Silva Review, In West Belfast, the UDA were further sub-divided into 'Coys' and the Woodvale Defence Association (WDA). In practice, these structures were loose and highly changeable."[5]

North Belfast Brigadier

East Belfast Brigadier

South Belfast Brigadier

South-East Antrim Brigadier

Londonderry and North Antrim Brigadier

External Resources

Notes

  1. Ulster Defence Association, Northern Ireland: The Troubles - Fact Files, BBC, accessed 21 November 2001.
  2. Martin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.173.
  3. Martin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.
  4. Colin Crawford, Inside the UDA: Volunteers and Violence, Pluto Ireland, 2003, p.20.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 2: The historical and political context, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
  6. Robert Fisk, The Point of No Return, The Strike which broke the British in Ulster, André Deutsch, 1975, p.355.
  7. Martin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.
  8. W.D. Flackes, Sydney Elliot, Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, Blackstaff Press, 1989, p.270.
  9. Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
  10. Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
  11. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.155.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
  13. David Lister, Godfathers who threaten the peace, The Times, 25 July 2002.
  14. Alan Murphy, Expulsions are two-fingers to mainstream UDA, Sunday Life, 30 July 2006.
  15. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.60.
  16. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.
  17. Roddy McGregor, Gallagher 'not aware' of death threat to Shoukri, Irish News, 28 July 2003, archived at nuzhound.com.
  18. Laura Friel, Mechanisms of exclusion, An Phoblacht/Republican News, 11 September 2003.
  19. Brian Rowan, Dissidents furious over UDA leaders on Queen’s guest list, Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2011.
  20. Ciaran De Baroid, Ballymurphy and the Irish War, Pluto Press, 2000, p.152.
  21. Protestant Paramilitary Leaders Arrested, Associated Press, 14 April 1982.
  22. Alan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
  23. Angelique Chrisafis, The death of Doris Day, The Guardian, 12 October 2005.
  24. Brian Rowan, Why this death threat must be taken seriously, Belfast telegraph, 22 August 2012.
  25. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.118.
  26. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.205.
  27. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.136.
  28. Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.
  29. Brian Rowan, UDA expels south east Antrim brigade chiefs, Belfast Telegraph, 29 March 2007.