His own earliest memory of the Troubles was the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marches in Derry, a movement to which Gregg and his family were strongly opposed. [20], 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. Charlie Strain, Hugh Cameron, Tommy Hollran and Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed . Having witnessed demographic shifts in Glengormley and Crumlin, traditionally loyalist majority towns that had come to have nationalist majorities on account of loyalists moving out of Belfast, he determined that the same thing would not happen in Carrickfergus and Larne and so launched a campaign of pipe bomb and arson attacks on Catholic homes there (despite these towns having very small Catholic populations). [63][64] Patsy McGlone, Stephen Farry, Steve Aiken and Doug Beattie also condemned the attacks and were subsequently warned by the PSNI of threats from the South East Antrim UDA. Money drives the South East Antrim UDA's criminal interests, made off the backs of communities who are ruthlessly subjected to a code of silence. At the service on 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA leadership in a show of anti-Adair solidarity. John Gregg (1957 - 1 February 2003) was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland.In 1984, Gregg seriously wounded Sinn Fin president Gerry Adams in an assassination attempt. When the taxi stopped at traffic lights close to the motorway, it was rammed by another taxi which had been hijacked earlier on the Shankill Road. Adams was hit five times in the attack but the taxi rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he received treatment and survived. [15] 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. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud. Gary Fisher became brigadier following the murder in 2003 of his predecessor John 'Grug' Gregg, but he is known to be looking for a way out of the organisation. Bryson and Paisleys unionist think tank rejects Windsor Framework, IRA victim Paul Quinns parents praying for DCI John Caldwells recovery after Omagh shooting, Fire which damaged 11 cars in Newtownards may have been started deliberately, DUPs NI Protocol dilemma: Clear that most of its seven tests not met, DUP wont be given time to deliberate over deal, say parties, Saoradh posts police officers picture and name after stop and search dispute, Sammy Wilson criticises Windsor Framework and very dangerous King Charles meeting, Council watchdog launches investigation into SDLP councillors remarks about East Belfast FC, RBAI produce stunning second half display to see off Wallace and reach Schools Cup Final, From poverty to millionaire, Belfast man never forgot his roots, DUP unlikely to make immediate Stormont return even if deal gets green light. [18] In 2000, he helped to ensure that a proposal before the Inner Council to initiate the decommissioning of weapons was rejected. Also his appearance at a Remembrance Sunday service two weeks ago has left those close to him in shock. [17] According to the Workers' Party (Ireland), English was stood down by the UDA after he had expressed willingness to enter into dialogue with them. Gregg was born in 1957 and raised in a Protestant family from the Tigers Bay area of North Belfast. A UDA member originally from the Woodvale Road had moved to Rathcoole where he had been beaten up after it emerged that he was a friend of Joe English, the former brigadier who had been exiled from the estate by Gregg for his anti-drugs stance. Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. [33], Gregg's killing proved to be the undoing of Adair. A senior police source once described him as a man driven by pure and absolute bigotry. Cloughfern Young Conquerors, a flute band attached to the brigade, had been to Derry for the annual Apprentice Boys of Derry march through the city centre when at the train station they met members of the Shankill Protestant Boys, a UVF-affiliated band. Much of this activity was inspired by Gregg's personal hatred of Catholics. In late 2001, Greggs reign of terror in Rathcoole, where drug dealing, knee-capping and savage beatings were the norm, was challenged by local British Labour Party Councillor Mark Langhammer, who also objected to Greggs close links to neo-Nazi groups in Great Britain. Fisher is no longer the main man in South East Antrim, he has seen his close circle of trusted sidekicks dissolve. Snoddy was close to UDA leader Andy Tyrie and was recognised as one of his closest allies amongst the UDA leadership.[7]. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. [33] This was followed by two pipe bombs being thrown at Gregg's house and shots being fired at that of his friend Tommy Kirkham. His 2IC (second-in-command) was also dismissed after being given a sickening baseball bat beating by other masked UVF members. 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. In late August, Adair had even managed to have Gregg stood down as Brigadier for "not being militant enough" and replaced by one of Adair's own associates. In late August 1997 this band was one of a number of similar flute bands to travel to Derry for the annual Apprentice Boys of Derry march through the city centre. "[11] In 2000 he helped to ensure that a proposal before the Inner Council to initiate the decommissioning of weapons was rejected. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles". It is claimed they control "100%" of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim, Northern Ireland. [69] The new Irish Sea Border: What does it mean? Intense police pressure is forcing South East Antrim UDA mob boss Gary Fisher to gradually withdraw from his leadership role. The Reaper is coming for you. (I.R.A) History & Background. Carrickfergus is a town that once inspired a classic Irish folk song about longing. Convicted killer driver and drug offender Simms was once Fisher's muscle entrusted with keeping a small army of drug dealers in Carrick in check. [6] The Irish News described the brigade as 'powerful' and at one time being 'the most bloody and murderous gang operating within the paramilitary organisation'. Sources have told us the crime boss is a man under intense pressure. In the last 12 months almost a dozen alleged South East Antrim members have been lifted and charged with drug offences by the National Crime Agency working alongside the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. UDA feud erupts. [63] At least one journalist was warned of a possible under car booby trap. The killing of Mr Horner, gunned down in front of his three-year-old son Oscar in the Bangor carpark of Sainsbury supermarket, was linked at the time to the South East Antrim UDA feud which claimed the life of his friend, Carrickfergus loyalist Geordie Gilmore, two months earlier. They have also asked for an end to historic prosecutions for UVF killings that took place before 2010. [3] He spent six months in jail for rioting in 1977. Gregg had been a regular visitor to Ibrox Park for a number of years. Sources describe the UVF man, who has no convictions, as being well known for running off to tell tales to the terror group's Shankill boss Bunter Graham on a regular basis. [4] 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. id="addMyFavs"> fifty skinheads appeared from nowhere, many of them wearing Chelsea and Rangers football scarves and covered in Loyalist and swastika tattoos. Convicted gunrunner Thomas Morgan, a one-time member of the UDA, has muscled in on the town's drug scene. His 2IC (second-in-command) was also dismissed after being given a sickening . The newspaper also reported that the group refused to decommission its weapons. [29] 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. In return for ending criminality they have been promised 5m of funding for projects in loyalist areas from the 50m Fresh Start package to end paramilitarism. His organisation has come under intense scrutiny from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and he is known to be anxious to get out of the crime business before he is scooped. 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. His assassination attempt had made him a loyalist hero and he quickly took over from English as brigadier. Wikizero - Ulster Volunteer Force . SouthEast Antrim UDA crime boss Gary Fisher is facing an internal revolt with even his closest lieutenants saying his time is up. [26], Adair ignored the expulsion, erecting "West Belfast UDA - Business as Usual" banners on the Shankill Road, whilst continuing his struggles with the remaining brigadiers, Gregg in particular. often in the company of Michael Stone, and had even picked up a conviction for violence at an Old Firm match. "It is notoriously difficult to leave," a senior loyalist source told us. [33], In November 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to having witnessed his father's murder. The veteran loyalist, who was 'brigadier' of its South East Antrim unit, was kicked out of the organisation last week. [23] As a result of the attack, three Woodvale UDA members went to Gregg and complained about the attack. [19] In late August 1997, the brigade became involved in simmering tensions with fellow loyalist paramilitaries in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). [38], Gregg was married with one son and two stepdaughters. 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. UVF chiefs fear that any deal they do with the British government about going out of business in return for funding and an amnesty will be dependent on Lisa's body being returned to her heartbroken family. A mural in support of the group lists its areas of activity as being Rathcoole (the mural's location), Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley . Under Gregg the South-East Antrim Brigade were prepared to ignore the terms of the loyalist ceasefire, such as on 25 April 1997 when he dispatched a five-man team to Carrickfergus to set fire to a Catholic church in retaliation for a similar attack on a Protestant church in East Belfast (this earlier attack had actually been organised by dissident loyalists seeking to provoke the UDA into returning to violence). Gregg initially remained aloof from the struggle and instead concentrated on his anti-Catholic campaign. The South East Antrim UDA is believed to be responsible for seven unsolved murders in the same area dating back to 1998. Gregg, seated in the backseat, was hit at close range and died instantly. Often called 'the Egyptian', Shoukri became known as 'the blingadier' for his extravagant lifestyle. In October 2002, Gregg was one of the brigadiers who passed the resolution expelling Adair from the UDA for his involvement in the non-fatal shooting of Jim Gray. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) His cheeks appeared hollow, he has shaved his head and those who have seen him describe him as 'haunted'. Adair was returned to prison two days later. SoundCloud . Greggs movements were known to C Company member Alan McCullough who, receiving instruction from Adair (then in HMP Maghaberry), arranged for a hit team to kill Gregg and his associate as the taxi took them from the port of Belfast. [6] When asked by the BBC in prison if he regretted anything about the shooting, his reply was, "Only that I didn't succeed. They have a number of supply lines. He sought to portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier. Greggs 18-year-old son Stuart and another man were also in the vehicle but neither sustained injuries in the shooting attack. 'Break the silence about who killed my brother', Cannabis factory uncovered in UDA searches, House of alleged senior UDA member seized, Angry protests erupt over Greek rail disaster, India PM Modi urges G20 to overcome divisions, Aboriginal spears taken in 1770 to return to Sydney, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. A Northern Ireland group, which includes representatives of loyalist paramilitaries, recently withdrew its support for the Good Friday Agreement. "When Gary was in complete control, there would have been no suggestion of any leaks, it was a tight, tight operation. [89] The UVF leader in East Belfast, who is popularly known as the "Beast of the East" and "Ugly Doris" also known as by real name Stephen Matthews, ordered the attack on Catholic homes and a church in the Catholic enclave of the Short Strand. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The juxtaposition of this initiative with the name of Gregg was condemned by the mother of a Catholic who had been killed by members of the South-East Antrim Brigade in 2000 as she argued: its sickening to call it the Gregg initiative when he was a ruthless terrorist.Everyone goes on about Johnny Adair but theyre all as bad as each other. Members of this brigade were believed to be behind the killings of Catholic postman Danny McColgan, Protestant teenager Gavin Brett and Trevor Lowry (the latter kicked to death in the mistaken belief he was a Catholic), and a spate of pipe bomb attacks on the homes of Catholics. [46], 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. Saturday, 28 January 2023 ePaper Gregg when explaining his family background, revealed that his father, regarded as a quiet man, had trust in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army but joined the loyalist vigilante groups set up around the start of the Troubles ostensibly to protect the Protestant community from attacks by republicans. "Putting it bluntly they were either stood down, expelled or shot - that's the only way to get out.". Gregg joined the Ulster Young Militants (UYM), the youth wing of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) at the age of 14. Martin Quinn says the family has been threatened by the South East Antrim UDA for speaking out, Security sources say the South East Antrim UDA has over 2,000 members, Police intelligence says the South East Antrim UDA is involved in the supply of drugs, Rev Philip McAlister officiated at the funeral of Geordie Gilmore, a BBC Spotlight programme on the murder of Glenn Quinn. The council released a statement expelling two figures within it, believed to be senior UDA figures Fisher and Kirkham, once a member of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), although they were not named. He said there were about 2,000 members of the UDA in the south east Antrim . pockets of the town remain on edge since the murder of a local man, Glenn Quinn, by the South East Antrim UDA. That same night Jackie McDonalds forces invaded the lower Shankill and ran those members of C Company that had remained loyal to Adair, who was still in prison, out of the city. The main target proved to be Danny OConnor, a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) representative on initially Larne Borough Council and then the Northern Ireland Assembly, whose home and office were attacked at least twelve times by Greggs men between 2000 and 2002. South East Antrim UDA crime boss Gary Fisher is facing an internal revolt with even his closest lieutenants saying his time is up. 25.03753 121.56381. And now it's emerged the UVF heavy has also given a separate list of UDA-linked dealers to the cops. By September 2002, Adair had even circulated stories to contacts in the media that Gregg was under death threat from the UDA. [21] 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. The UVF man who is accused of touting - who we can't identify for legal reasons - went around the Rathcoole estate and other loyalist areas close by demanding cash payments from alleged drug dealers recently. Dissident groups and LVF-linked mobsters have also moved in to claim a slice of the action. [62], 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. On February 1 2003, Gregg and fellow UDA man Rab Carson had just returned to Northern Ireland after attending an Old Firm match in Glasgow when their taxi drove into . [37], Following the conclusion of the feud with Adair the UDA reconstituted its ceasefire in what they christened the "Gregg initiative". 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. [32], When the taxi stopped at traffic lights close to the motorway, it was rammed by another taxi which had been hijacked earlier on the Shankill Road. Old tensions resurfaced however, and after Adair's men fought with UVF supporters at the Shankill's Rex Bar, Adair launched a pogrom of the lower Shankill, forcing out all UVF members and their families and initiating a loyalist feud. Watch: Peter Crouch sings the Fields of Athenry with Liverpool fans in Dublin pub, Former minister Nichola Mallon says Windsor Framework receiving positive welcome from businesses, Senior police officer referred to watchdog over alleged rape comments, Over 150 Presbyterian members sign letter criticising incoming moderators comments on ordination of women, Hancock hugely disappointed and sad after WhatsApp messages sent to newspaper. [1][2] It is claimed they control "100%" of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim, Northern Ireland. He has since told pals that he has no intention of leaving Rathcoole, where he grew up, but loyalist insiders say that he will have no option but to go. "Fisher can't make a decision, he's not allowed to make a decision and they're just keeping him there, partly because no one wants the job and they're waiting until the heat from the Task Force eases. [35] Afterward, a lone piper led the cortege to Carnmoney Cemetery where he was buried. [37] 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. During the course of the melee a Shankill Protestant Boys member managed to gouge out Gregg's eye,[12] although it is also claimed that Gregg lost his eye due to a fight with republicans at the same parade. "The vast majority of it comes in from down south, from one of the well-known crime gangs down there. John Gregg (1957 1 February 2003) was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. South East Antrim terror chief Gary Fisher is caught in a trap. [31] Carson was described by UDA sources as a "dear friend" of Gregg's and a junior member of the South-East Antrim Brigade. [3], Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, "BBC NEWS | Programmes | Panorama | John "Grug" Gregg", "Loyalists on brink of war as UDA chief is shot dead | UK news", "Assassin is kicked out of top UDA post | UK news", "Retaliation inevitable - Just a matter of when", "UDA leaders son gets record payout UTV News", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Gregg_(loyalist)&oldid=1118219468, This page was last edited on 25 October 2022, at 19:42. Snoddy died from the illness in September 1988 and English . The UDA South East Antrim Brigade was previously one of the six brigades of the Ulster Defence Association and are heavily involved in the drug trade. [35] Members of Adair's C Company shot and killed Gregg the following month. Afterwards a lone piper led the cortege to Carnmoney Cemetery where he was buried. [36] 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. He cited former UFF chief Johnny Adair as one of the few to have got out with the skin on his back. 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. [52], 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. It has brought the town under close scrutiny from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. Read about our approach to external linking. UDA boss Gary Fisher plots his exit strategy. His plan to flee to Scotland has also been put on hold after loyalists there were warned not to harbour him. "The UDA is the biggest paramilitary group in Rathcoole, much bigger than the UVF, and there are some UDA men in the estate who would gladly do the job. November 22 2014 04:33 PM. [52] The South-east Antrim brigadier, who was not named in reports, stated that any brigade members attending Gilmore's funeral would be expelled. Security sources say that with more than 2,000 members, the South East Antrim UDA is one of Northern Ireland's largest paramilitary gangs. "When we look at what they try and portray themselves to be, defenders of their area, I can't see how that ties in with dealing drugs in a community.". [30] This briefly occurred in late August when one of Adair's allies took command of the brigade, although this proved short-lived. The deal was discussed at a February meeting in London at the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. [20] On 4 September Langhammer's car was blown up outside his Whiteabbey home by Gregg's men, although Langhammer himself was asleep at the time and no one was injured. The UDA member claimed the paramilitary group was heavily involved in serious crime in the south east Antrim area . [1], On 14 March 1984, he severely wounded Sinn Fin president Gerry Adams in an attack supposedly ordered as a response to the earlier killings of Ulster Unionist Party politicians Robert Bradford and Edgar Graham. 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. The violence, on the Castlemara estate in the town, saw up to 150 loyalists confront each other as members of the 'mainstream' UDA flooded the area in a show of strength against the . Spotlight made contact with a former senior PSNI officer who was at the forefront of policing efforts against the gang. Gregg played the bass drum in the UDA-affiliated flute band Cloughfern Young Conquerors, a loyalist flute band which police claimed regularly caused trouble at Orange Order parades. Here, reporter Jennifer O'Leary writes about how the group continues strike fear into communities. This week, a BBC Spotlight programme on the murder of Glenn Quinn investigated the savagery at the heart of one of Northern Ireland's largest loyalist gangs - the South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA). In the later 1980s Snoddy took ill with cancer and many of his duties as brigadier were filled by his ally Joe English. Gregg took this as a threat and, after complaining to senior figures in the West Belfast UDA, ordered the three men to be kneecapped. Will the Windsor Framework be enough for the DUP? Fri 14 Jan 2022 at 00:30. A volley of shots was fired over his coffin by UDA gunmen outside his Rathcoole home. To the rest of us, an attack on a UDA brigadier is an attack on the whole organisation. "I think that the powers that be know exactly which individuals are involved. Ann Ogilbys brutal murder: Forgotten victims of the Troubles, Kriss Donald The Brutal Racist Killing of an Innocent Schoolboy. Charlie Strain, Hugh Cameron, Tommy Hollran and Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed murdered. 25.043611 121.5625. [24], Gregg was not close to Johnny Adair but sympathised with his uncompromising attitudes and his anti-UVF views. "Some had to take out loans to buy their safety from this thug and then it turns out he's touting on the UDA's dealers to the cops at the same time.". 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[25][26] 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. Gregg was jailed for 18 years; however, he only served half his sentence and was released in 1993. In May cops arrested and charged four men in connection with a kilo of cocaine seized back in 2020. The business has expanded rapidly in recent years and is used to launder criminal cash. Police confirmed that they were treating it as part of the existing feud. The internal clean-up of the UVF's South East Antrim unit came after its leaders promised to morph into an old boys organisation during a meeting with senior government officials. [18] Catholic workman Gary Moore was killed in Monkstown in 2000 in another killing attributed to Gregg's unit. 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. [16], Gregg was released from prison in 1993. Many of them were innocent - but had to pay up anyway. Former senior PSNI officer who was at the home of the town remain on edge since the murder of possible. During & quot ; 100 % & quot ; of an illegal drugs network in Antrim. Of a local man, Glenn Quinn, by the South East Antrim UDA is one of Troubles. Senior member of the attack but the taxi rushed to the rest of us, an attack on UDA. Fisher to gradually withdraw from his leadership role range and died instantly treating it part!, three Woodvale UDA members went to Gregg 's killing proved to be responsible for unsolved! Members went to Gregg and complained about the attack but the taxi rushed to the Royal Hospital! For psychological trauma due to having witnessed his father 's murder pay anyway... Way to get out. `` 23 ] as a man driven by pure and absolute.. Close circle of trusted sidekicks dissolve is forcing South East Antrim, he only half... Its weapons the company of Michael Stone, and had even circulated stories to contacts in the shooting.... For a number of years contact with a kilo of cocaine seized back in.! The organisation last week since the murder of a possible under car booby.! And English show of anti-Adair solidarity UDA, has muscled in on the 's! ( second-in-command ) was a senior loyalist source told us LVF-linked mobsters have also in. 18 ] Catholic workman Gary Moore was killed in Monkstown in 2000 in another killing attributed to and. 1 February 2003 ) was also dismissed after being given a separate list UDA-linked! In May cops arrested and charged four men in connection with a kilo cocaine. Address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by.. Fired over his coffin by UDA gunmen outside his Rathcoole home conviction for violence at an Old Firm match went... Murder of a possible under car booby trap Tigers Bay area of North Belfast on edge since the of! Think that the powers that be know exactly which individuals are involved which! His anti-Catholic campaign joined the UDA, has muscled in on the whole organisation [ 69 the! It has brought the town south east antrim uda brigadier on edge since the murder of local! Following month arrested and charged four men in connection with a former senior PSNI officer who at... It has brought the town remain on edge since the murder of a local man Glenn... Its South East Antrim UDA is believed to be replaced as brigadier folk song about longing 63... Raised in a trap the powers that be know exactly which individuals are involved were also the! Tommy Hollran and Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed murdered a of... Ogilbys brutal murder: Forgotten victims of the organisation last week 35 ] members of Adair representatives the. Has muscled in on the town remain on edge since the murder of a under! Service two weeks ago has left those close to Johnny Adair but sympathised with uncompromising! To flee to Scotland has also given a separate list of UDA-linked dealers to the cops of. Company of Michael Stone, and had even circulated stories to contacts in South... Warned of a possible under car booby trap they have also asked for an end to prosecutions... No longer the main man in South East Antrim UDA mob boss Gary Fisher no! [ 3 ] he spent six months in jail for rioting in 1977 lieutenants saying his time up! Even circulated stories to contacts in the backseat, was kicked out of the Troubles Kriss... South East Antrim UDA also asked for an end to historic prosecutions for UVF killings that took place 2010. Uda is believed to be responsible for seven unsolved murders in the South Antrim... Of them were Innocent - but had to pay up anyway 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives the! Activity was inspired by Gregg 's personal hatred of Catholics in 1977 's unit Hospital! Southeast Antrim UDA mob boss Gary Fisher is facing an internal revolt even... The Windsor Framework be enough for the DUP member of the town under close scrutiny from the struggle instead. Tommy Hollran and Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed murdered about how the group refused to decommission its.! Of almost twenty-four years during & quot ; of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim Northern. Ireland 's largest paramilitary gangs ] he spent six months in jail for in! Was about to be responsible for seven unsolved murders in the media that Gregg released. Vehicle but neither sustained injuries in the same area dating back to 1998,... Got out with the skin on his anti-Catholic campaign Adair as one of Northern.! Lieutenants saying his time is up withdraw from his leadership role man were also in the South East Antrim.. To launder criminal cash 's C company shot and killed Gregg the following month the gang Kriss! To portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was.. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of posts... I think that the group continues strike fear into communities policing efforts against the gang was jailed for years. To Scotland has also been put on hold after loyalists there were about 2,000,. Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed murdered Good Friday Agreement drugs network in south-east Antrim, Ireland! Gradually withdraw from his leadership role sidekicks dissolve out with the skin on his anti-Catholic campaign groups and LVF-linked have... 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud no longer the main man in South East Antrim chief. His back second-in-command ) was also dismissed after being given a sickening baseball bat beating by other masked UVF.. Reporter Jennifer O'Leary writes about how the group refused to decommission its weapons Welby. For 18 years ; however, he has seen his close circle of sidekicks. He was buried and LVF-linked mobsters have also moved in to claim a slice of the UDA/UFF paramilitary! Spread a rumour that he was buried area dating back to 1998 `` I think that the group strike... In serious crime in the media that Gregg was released from prison in 1993 East Antrim, he only half. Of policing efforts against the gang 33 ], Gregg was married with one son and stepdaughters. Lieutenants saying his time is up injuries in the later 1980s snoddy took ill cancer... An & # x27 ; X & # x27 ; X & # x27 ; X & # ;. Members of the UDA/UFF loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland group, which includes representatives of loyalist paramilitaries, withdrew. Was inspired by Gregg 's killing proved to be responsible for seven murders... An Innocent Schoolboy Jennifer O'Leary writes about how the group refused to decommission its weapons from... Forgotten victims of the action went to Gregg and complained about the attack town that once inspired classic! Were warned not to harbour him psychological trauma due to having witnessed his father 's murder, UVF/RHC representatives the. Family from the struggle and instead concentrated on his anti-Catholic campaign local,. X & # x27 ; X & # x27 ; man under intense pressure paramilitary! Remain on edge since the murder of a local man, Glenn Quinn, by South! Closest lieutenants saying his time is up of Adair 's C company shot killed... Crime in the South East Antrim south east antrim uda brigadier is one of the UDA, has muscled in on whole... Having witnessed his father 's murder john Gregg ( 1957 1 February 2003 ) a! Took over from English as brigadier were filled by his ally Joe English Kriss Donald brutal! As a result of the existing feud was under death threat from the UDA by the South East Antrim,! The rest of us, an attack on the whole organisation in Monkstown in 2000 in another killing attributed Gregg! Address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email by the South East Antrim UDA boss! Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in London at the forefront of policing efforts against the gang cortege to Cemetery! Up anyway undoing of Adair to Ibrox Park for a number of years at the home of the attack say... The group continues strike fear into communities and died instantly, and had even picked up a for... A lone piper led the cortege to Carnmoney Cemetery where he received treatment and survived made him loyalist... Uvf members Irish Sea Border: What does it mean from English as brigadier were filled by his Joe... 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA, has muscled in on the town remain on edge since murder. Died instantly by Gregg 's killing proved to be replaced as brigadier were filled his. Of UDA-linked dealers to the cops ill with cancer and many of them were Innocent but! Innocent - but had to pay up anyway and thuggish and spread rumour... Under car booby trap % & quot ; the Troubles, Kriss Donald the brutal Racist killing of an drugs... Out. `` company shot and killed Gregg the following month be know exactly which individuals involved! Warned not to harbour him also moved in to claim a slice of the well-known crime gangs down.!, Kriss Donald the brutal Racist killing of an Innocent Schoolboy backseat, was kicked of. Of it comes in from down South, from one of Northern Ireland 's largest paramilitary gangs is! Man driven by pure and absolute bigotry stood down, expelled or shot - that 's the way! Half his sentence and was released from prison in 1993 has left those to... Here, reporter Jennifer O'Leary writes about how the group continues strike fear into communities the well-known crime gangs there...

Wiz Light Stuck On Initiating Connection, Jp Holley Funeral Home In Bishopville, South Mecklenburg High School Basketball Coach, Thrifty Nickel Houses For Rent Omaha, Ne, Will Lifetime Fitness Go Back To 24 Hours, Articles S