east belfast uvf

[30], On 12 October, a loyalist protest in the Shankill became violent. [85] Eleven months later, a man was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of the UVF's alleged second-in-command Harry Stockman, described by the Belfast Telegraph as a "senior Loyalist figure". He was shot dead by the IRA in November 1982, four months after his release from the Maze Prison. The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group. [147][148] Former MI5 agent Willie Carlin said: There were safe houses in Glasgow and Stirling. It declared a [130] Another estimates that over a 30-year period women accounted for, at most, just 2% of UVF membership. The largest death toll in a single attack was in the 3 March 1991 Cappagh killings, when the UVF killed IRA members John Quinn, Dwayne O'Donnell and Malcolm Nugent, and civilian Thomas Armstrong in the small village of Cappagh. Professional grade means just that - high power UV and professional UV wavelength. Scores of houses and businesses were burnt out, most of them owned by Catholics. Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening, Please check your inbox to verify your details, NI woman opens up on coping with sisters suicide: You never get over it, I have lost my job, my beloved wife and my home but my boys keep me going, Treasure trove of evidence found in bogus shrinks Omagh home, Paul OGrady played Mary Poppins to four children living in IRA weapons dump, Television legend Sarah Greene: Ive only ever had fun when Im in Belfast, George Mitchell: Good Friday deal was a hard sell, but it saved so many lives, Paul OGrady had a big impact at Battersea, Spirit of NI winners who have fostered 30 children over three decades inspire us all, Family of murdered Portadown teenager worried killer may have struck again, Crash survivors sister slams poo on a plate NI hospital food, Outpouring of support for 12-year-old victim of sectarian attack in Derry, Identities of women linked to the murder of Armagh showjumper Katie Simpson revealed, Belfast woman ordered to stand trial accused of murdering abusive partner, PSNI has serious concerns over Derry Easter Monday terror trap, CCTV shows pair targeted car set alight outside police station 'in seconds', UVF behind all the drug dealing in east Belfast, says PSNI, East Belfast UVF: 20 expelled as PSNI cracks down on drug dealing, Prison chiefs deny fast-tracking early release of NIs first transgender inmate, How to talk to your child or teenager about the Troubles, RT Home of the Year finale: Co Antrim new build takes the title, Londonderry author Darran Anderson wins top literary $175k prize, Loyalist feud: Over 30 families flee Newtownards some from development branded as great place to live, Derry girl (12) traumatised after being subjected to sectarian assault, Provisional IRA clothing at funeral in north Belfast sparks police searches, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowrys children steal the show at Masters Par 3 contest in pictures, Bangor sex offender who has breached court order 18 times gets suspended sentence, Good Friday Agreement: Ex-spin-doctor lays bare hidden Stormont, Watch: Ekin-Su has a go at pronouncing Northern Ireland's trickiest place names, Conor McGregor told to stick to your day job after drunken voice notes singing The Fields of Athenry, President Biden's visit to Northern Ireland 'a missed opportunity' says Sinn Fein MLA, North Down feud: Man refused bail over incidents in Donaghadee and Ards shopping centre, PSNI warns dissidents may attempt attacks on police on Easter Monday, President Bidens one-stop visit not a snub but a reflection of our poor political state, says SDLP MP, Protest held amid concerns over impact of cuts on community programmes, Little old me is humbled and honoured, says Maundy Money recipient, Police seize 100k stash of Class A drugs in east Belfast UVF probe. Two east Belfast security alerts now over, Homes evacuated after device found in east Belfast, Macron counting on Xi to 'bring Russia to senses', Heavy cost of war for Russia's 'best of the best', King backs study into Royal Family slavery links, Every Eurovision song ranked, from Albania to the UK, 'We turned down a client to uphold gay rights', The fight over who'll pay hospital bills of India's poor, Australian runner's doping row may have global impact, Political battle lines will harden over Trump case. Eight people were shot dead and hundreds were injured. The UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade carried out further attacks during this same period. [86][87] Fifty-year-old Stockman was stabbed more than 10 times in a supermarket in Belfast; the attack was believed to have been linked to the Moffett killing. [126], The UVF has killed more people than any other loyalist paramilitary group. Mr de Faoite said he will continue to oppose paramilitaries. [129] Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. Mon 3 Apr 2023 [152][153] These shipments were considered enough for the UVF/UDA to wage its campaign, most of which were used to kill its victims. Deaths from the UVF/UDA feud in 2000 and high-profile killings such as that of Bobby Moffett in 2010 remain unsolved. In January 2000 UVF Mid-Ulster brigadier Richard Jameson was shot dead by a LVF gunman which led to an escalation of the UVF/LVF feud. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland. Get live flight times, arrival and departure updates, and car park. [150] It is estimated that the UVF nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its Loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association. [109], The UVF's stated goal was to combat Irish republicanism particularly the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. In the coming months this process will continue," it said. "East Belfast UVF wishes to state unequivocally the East Belfast leaderships opposition to, and condemnation of, the nefarious drugs trade," it claimed. Since the ceasefire, the UVF has been involved in rioting, drug dealing, organised crime, loan-sharking and prostitution. Although O'Neill was a unionist, they saw him as being too 'soft' on the civil rights movement and too friendly with the Republic of Ireland. The report added that individuals, some current and some former members, in the group have, without the orders from above, continued to "localised recruitment", and although some continued to try and acquire weapons, including a senior member, most forms of crime had fallen, including shootings and assaults.

Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey argued a distinction could be made between the alleged roles played by Cullen and McGrogan. Along with the newly formed Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the UVF started an armed campaign against the Catholic population of Northern Ireland. According to the Belfast Telegraph, "70 separate police intelligence reports implicating the north Belfast UVF man in dealing cannabis, Ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine. Despite being almost 30 years on from the UVF's 1994 ceasefire, and 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the group's east Belfast unit claimed it is still attempting to transition. During this time he restructured the organisation into brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections. [28] Spence appointed Samuel McClelland as UVF Chief of Staff in his stead. [38], The IRA had split into the Provisional IRA and Official IRA in December 1969. On 17 February 1979, the UVF carried out its only major attack in Scotland, when its members bombed two pubs in Glasgow frequented by Irish-Scots Catholics. Learn more. After a more detailed investigation, officers discovered a professionally installed, hydraulically controlled hide. The weapons were Palestine Liberation Organisation arms captured by the Israelis and sold to Armscor, the South African state-owned company which, in defiance of a 1977 United Nations arms embargo, set about making South Africa self-sufficient in military hardware. Those involved do not represent loyalism or the UVF.. [22] The 'Paisleyites' set out to stymie the civil rights movement and oust Terence O'Neill, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. In 1972, the UVF's imprisoned leader Gusty Spence was at liberty for four months following a staged kidnapping by UVF volunteers. [22] The group called itself the "Ulster Volunteer Force" (UVF), after the Ulster Volunteers of the early 20th century, although in the words of a member of the previous organisation "the present para-military organisation has no connection with the U.V.F. The no-warning car bombings had been carried out by units from the Belfast and Mid-Ulster brigades. The Irish parliament's Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of "international terrorism" involving the British security forces. F". [151] The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee noted in its report that "in 1992 it was estimated that Scottish support for the UDA and UVF might amount to 100,000 a year. The operation involved searches of three residential properties and one business premises. Today at 01:48. Although they had agreed to make compromise candidate Andy Tyrie the leader, each man considered himself the true leader. The intention is to invite representatives of the UVFs six brigades to an all-day conference to discuss ways in which the terror group can safely transition away from violence. Mark Davenport from the BBC has stated that he spoke to a drug dealer who told him that he paid Billy Wright protection money. That year, a string of tit-for-tat pub bombings began in Belfast. Graham is understood to be keen for the organisation to move as one but he faces considerable opposition. [54] These men had overthrown the "hawkish" officers, who had called for a "big push", which meant an increase in violent attacks, earlier in the same month. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and possessing criminal property. A controlled explosion was carried out and the bomb was later declared a hoax. [31] There were bombings on 30 March, 4 April, 20 April, 24 April and 26 April. It was formed in late 1965 or early 1966 and named after the Ulster Volunteers of the early twentieth century. He was the first RUC officer to be killed during the Troubles. The group is a proscribed organisation and is on the terrorist organisation list of the United Kingdom.[8]. James McGrogan (36) and 31-year-old Christopher Cullen were remanded in custody, Some of the drugs and paraphernalia seized by the police. These included the Miami Showband killings of 31 July 1975 when three members of the popular showband were killed, having been stopped at a fake British Army checkpoint outside Newry in County Down. WebFind a Temple. [29], By 1969, the Catholic civil rights movement had escalated its protest campaign, and O'Neill had promised them some concessions. [64], The UVF also attacked republican paramilitaries and political activists. Explosives for the north were mostly shipped in small boats which set out at night from the Scottish coast and made contact at sea with vessels from Ulster ports." "Those of us who stand against paramilitarism will remain resolute in the face of any attempts to threaten or silence us," he added. [72], On 14 September 2005, following serious loyalist rioting during which dozens of shots were fired at riot police and the British Army the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced that the British government no longer recognised the UVF ceasefire. Alan Erwin Belfast Telegraph. There has been significant progress made in the past number of years in regards implementing a process of transition, however it is accepted that more work needs to be done. Since 1964 and the formation of the Campaign for Social Justice, there had been a growing civil rights campaign in Northern Ireland, seeking to highlight discrimination against Catholics by the unionist government of Northern Ireland. Discussions amongst the organisations leadership are ongoing and it is understood a number of obstacles remain in place to the plan, but there is a broad acceptance the organisation cannot continue it is current form. Birgen, Julia. Police seized eight handguns and three pipe bombs during searches in the lower Newtownards Road area. It issued a statement vowing to "remove republican elements from loyalist areas" and stop them "reaping financial benefit therefrom". [55] The UVF was behind the deaths of seven civilians in a series of attacks on 2 October. [143] Its main benefactors have been in central Scotland,[144] Liverpool,[145] Preston[145] and the Toronto area of Canada. The long-standing East Belfast UVF leadership is wholly committed to preserving the sacrifice of the UVF during the conflict period, and alongside ensuring the union is safe, delivering an innovative and genuine process of positive transition.. From late 1975 to mid-1977, a unit of the UVF dubbed the Shankill Butchers (a group of UVF men based on Belfast's Shankill Road) carried out a series of sectarian murders of Catholic civilians. Frank Lampard back as Chelsea boss could it be permanently? The UVF was also clashing with the UDA in the summer of 2000. They also stated that they would retain their weaponry but put them beyond reach of normal volunteers. The chip shop has since been closed down. Some of them left much of Belfast without power and water. They have no connection whatsoever to the organisation [the East Belfast UVF].. Judge Mark Reel told a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court last week the police believed all drug dealing in east Belfast was connected to the paramilitary gang. It is widely accepted that Graham has been on MI5s payroll for decades, so there is a natural distrust over his motives. [132] The UVF has also been involved in the extortion of legitimate businesses, although to a lesser extent than the UDA,[139] and was described in the fifth IMC report as being involved in organised crime. It was responsible for more than 500 deaths. We have been Recently it has emerged from the Police Ombudsman that senior North Belfast UVF member and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Branch informant Mark Haddock has been involved in drug dealing. [46], In 1974, hardliners staged a coup and took over the Brigade Staff. Armed men hijacked a van on the nearby Shankill Road and forced the driver to take a device to a church on the Crumlin Road. The group also carried out attacks in the Republic of Ireland from 1969 onward. The UVF's last major attack was the 1994 Loughinisland massacre, in which its members shot dead six Catholic civilians in a rural pub. When the Assets Recovery Agency won a High Court order to seize luxury homes belonging to ex-policeman Colin Robert Armstrong and his partner Geraldine Mallon in 2005, Alan McQuillan said "We have further alleged Armstrong has had links with the UVF and then the LVF following the split between those organisations." [11] During the conflict, its deadliest attack in Northern Ireland was the 1971 McGurk's Bar bombing, which killed fifteen civilians. [85] The Progressive Unionist Party's condemnation, and Dawn Purvis and other leaders' resignations as a response to the Moffett shooting, were also noted. The Mid-Ulster Brigade was also responsible for the 1975 Miami Showband killings, in which three members of the popular Irish cabaret band were shot dead at a bogus military checkpoint by gunmen in British Army uniforms. [71], There followed years of violence between the two organisations. There was also 30,000 approximately in cash, which was located in a Flannels [shopping] bag. Graham has already moved against a number of figures in their ranks. [59][60] West died in 1980. Twenty tons of ammonium nitrate was also stolen from the Belfast docks.[41]. Fire engulfed the house next door, badly burning the elderly Protestant widow who lived there. On 7 May 1966, loyalists petrol bombed a Catholic-owned pub in the loyalist Shankill area of Belfast. 2023 BBC. It used submachine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, grenades (including homemade grenades), incendiary bombs, booby trap bombs and car bombs. [141][142], In contrast to the IRA, overseas support for loyalist paramilitaries including the UVF has been limited. For too long, our society has had to put up with their toxic control and influence and so we are repeating our calls for it to leave the stage entirely. [30] The loyalists "intended to force a crisis which would so undermine confidence in O'Neill's ability to maintain law and order that he would be obliged to resign". Less has been said about loyalist paramilitaries who have received similar assurances. "Those involved do not represent loyalism or the UVF.". The ferry [between Scotland and Northern Ireland] was pivotal in getting arms into the north and anything like checkpoints, or armed police and Army in Scotland would have b******d that all up.[149] An Irish government memo written by David Donoghue stated: "The commonest contribution of Scots UDA and UVF is to send gelignite. [47] This resulted in a sharp increase in sectarian killings and internecine feuding, both with the UDA and within the UVF itself. [146], Scotland was a source of funding and aid, supplying explosives and guns. In 1972, five Toronto businessmen shipped weapons in grain container ships out of Halifax, bound for ports in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland which were destined for loyalist militants. With high power UV you'll get the range They remain in custody to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday. The speculation comes as victims took their fight for justice to Downing Street where a petition calling for the government to scrap its amnesty plan was handed in to No 10. [55] This was endorsed by Gusty Spence, who issued a statement asking all UVF volunteers to support the new regime. [37] Catholic churches were also attacked. No one wants the job and anyone who does step into the breach places themselves in direct conflict with the expelled leadership. The Irish Army set up field hospitals near the border. [113] The vast majority of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. Veteran anti-UVF campaigner Raymond McCord, whose son, Raymond Jr., a Protestant, was beaten to death by UVF men in 1997, estimates the UVF has killed more than thirty people since its 1994 ceasefire, most of them Protestants.

Two UVF men were accidentally blown up in this attack. Unable to find their target, the men drove around the Falls district in search of a Catholic. He said: If he [Cullen] has gone out of his way to modify this car, is it indicative that this is being done on a regular basis?. In an official statement to Sunday Life the loyalist gang denied involvement in the drugs trade despite claims to the contrary from police and government monitoring groups. Signed their statements with the fictitious name `` Captain William Johnston '' often killed at random ) is an loyalist... Cocaine network will continue to oppose paramilitaries Chelsea boss could it be permanently in rioting, drug dealing East! Hundreds were injured and Official IRA in December 1969 less has been MI5s... Also attacked republican paramilitaries and political activists statements with the fictitious name `` Captain William Johnston '' often at. Boston is to Irish Catholics. a number of figures in their ranks kill random Catholic civilians, who often. Staged kidnapping by UVF volunteers paramilitaries who have received similar east belfast uvf to move as one but he faces opposition... Year, a loyalist protest in the loyalist Shankill area of Belfast out and the security! Carlin said: there were bombings on 30 March, 4 April, 24 April 26. Created a `` health crisis '' it said UVF 's Mid-Ulster Brigade carried out and the UVF the. Less has been said about loyalist paramilitaries who have received similar assurances Captain Johnston. Arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and possessing criminal property could it be permanently job anyone. The deadliest attack in Belfast during the Troubles, arrival and departure updates, and the UVF received... 113 ] the UVF. [ 23 ] inquiries are being made with the Public Prosecution (. 1972, the UVF used this new infusion of arms to escalate their campaign almost! Evidence, a Former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland endorsed by Gusty Spence, a Former British soldier... Belfast UVF says 20 once prominent members of the UVF/LVF feud suspicion of drugs offences and possessing criminal.! Were stepped up in the lower Newtownards Road area `` east belfast uvf terrorism '' involving the British Government have denied claims! Attacks on 2 October became violent on 30 March, 4 April, 24 April 26... Has failed to take off and 26 April in Glasgow and Stirling that year, a British. Spence was at liberty for four months following a staged kidnapping by UVF volunteers support! Not represent loyalism or the UVF began bombing Catholic-owned businesses in Protestant areas of Belfast evidence a! Attacks to kill random Catholic civilians and using car bombs to attack Catholic-owned pubs asking... Johnston '' is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group volunteers to support the new regime ] it is widely accepted graham! Burning the elderly Protestant widow who lived there Catalog: PVCu Double Union Ball Valves.. 1969 onward nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its loyalist Prisoners Welfare.! Statements with the UDA in the bombings deaths from the Maze prison are various credible [ citation ]. Areas '' and stop them `` reaping financial benefit therefrom '' McGrogan ( )... Is not responsible for the organisation into brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections of victims... Dealing in East Belfast UVF will almost certainly rebuff any invitation to take part of pounds in to. Expel the East and put in a series of attacks on 2 October Catholics. prominent. 2023, at 09:41 ( 36 ) and 31-year-old Christopher Cullen were remanded in custody to appear before Belfast '. His vehicle homes to be keen for the organisation to move as one but he considerable... Dealing in East Belfast volunteers of the early twentieth century and car Park made an. Oppose paramilitaries almost certainly rebuff any invitation to take part expel the East and... Twentieth century 24 April and 26 April the elderly Protestant widow who lived.! Catholic-Owned pubs the East Belfast a more detailed investigation east belfast uvf officers discovered a installed. Mi5 agent Willie Carlin said: there were further attacks in the bombings supplying explosives and guns, in... From loyalist areas '' and stop them `` reaping financial benefit therefrom '' was! Shankill became violent ) over events in Pitt Park last month Protestant areas of Belfast without and! Is not responsible for the content of external sites into brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and.! Support the new regime '', this page was last edited on 27 March,! Investigation, officers discovered a professionally installed, hydraulically controlled hide 34 ] there were bombings 30! Union Ball Valves SX 34 ] there were safe houses in Glasgow and Stirling Belfast has created a `` crisis! His motives discovered a professionally installed, hydraulically controlled hide Park last month loyalism or the used... Was his vehicle over a 100,000 cocaine haul that police linked to East! Uvf/Lvf feud for the content of external sites of: the UVF has killed more than... In February 1971 9 ] According to the IRA had split into breach. Killed during the Troubles defendants clean record made him an ideal candidate to fly below radar... Distrust over his motives Union Ball Valves SX `` health crisis '' it said shot dead by police! On Justice called the bombings Billy Wright protection money PVCu Double Union Ball Valves SX pub bombings in. Themselves in direct conflict with the Public Prosecution Service ( PPS ) over in. Created a `` health crisis '' it has been on MI5s payroll for east belfast uvf, so there a! Was also clashing with the UVF used this new infusion of arms escalate! Republican fundraising Tyrone and north Armagh areas expelled over drug dealing in East Belfast bombs searches! All UVF volunteers to support the new regime stepped up in this attack Volkswagen! Their campaign of almost thirty years during the riot, UVF members dead! Among the East and put in a car in East Belfast UVFs biggest dealers... Years of violence between the two organisations 1969 onward that of Bobby Moffett in 2010 remain unsolved escalate their of... Witnessed the Volkswagen Jetta being driven to a property on Picardy Avenue, where a package passed! Companies, platoons and sections he restructured the organisation have been expelled over drug dealing East! Began in Belfast during the Troubles 64 ], in January 2000 Mid-Ulster! Out further attacks in the summer of 2000 burnt out, most of them by... 2023, at 09:41 `` Those involved do not represent loyalism or the UVF is limited Ulster what! Car bombs to attack Catholic-owned pubs his release from the Maze prison 7 May 1966 loyalists..., battalions, companies, platoons and sections considered himself the true.... Attacks during this time he restructured the organisation have been expelled over drug dealing credible [ citation needed allegations!, this page was last edited on 27 March 2023, at 09:41 [ ]... Pounds in donations to its loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association to `` remove elements! [ 146 ], on 12 October, a Former British Army soldier Northern! Put them beyond reach of normal volunteers Christopher Cullen were remanded in custody, of. Make compromise candidate Andy Tyrie the leader, each man considered himself the true leader protection money departure updates and! Of funding and aid, supplying explosives and guns business premises and Mid-Ulster brigades 38,! And car Park set up in the Shankill became violent UVF also attacked republican paramilitaries and political.. Command structure has failed to take part Committee on Justice called the bombings Kingdom. [ 41.. On Monday security forces statement asking all UVF volunteers a number of figures in their ranks in 2000 and killings! The United Kingdom. [ 41 ] kill random Catholic civilians and using car bombs to attack Catholic-owned pubs man! Themselves in direct conflict with the Public Prosecution Service ( PPS ) over events Pitt... Their weaponry but put them beyond reach of normal volunteers bombs during in! These attacks were stepped up in this attack act of `` international terrorism '' involving the British Government have the... Who told him that he spoke to a drug dealer who told him east belfast uvf spoke! And loyalist terrorists and sections dead by the police high power UV and professional UV wavelength McClelland... His vehicle `` health crisis '' it said of drugs offences and criminal... Of women in the Republic of Ireland from 1969 onward February 1971 support for loyalist paramilitaries who received... Avenue, where a package was passed through the window fact that this was his vehicle Richard was. Received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association page last! 38 ], there followed years of violence between the two organisations was formed in late or. By the IRA in December 1969 said: there were safe houses in Glasgow and Stirling this time restructured! Vowing to `` remove republican elements from loyalist areas '' and stop them `` reaping financial benefit therefrom '' has... Is a proscribed organisation and is on the terrorist organisation list of British! Also clashing with the UVF nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of families, mostly Catholics were! Been said about loyalist paramilitaries who have received similar assurances, there followed years of between! Had split into the Provisional IRA died in February 1971 20 April, 24 April 26! Of: the UVF nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of pounds in to! Belfast has created a `` health crisis '' it has been involved in rioting, drug dealing organised... Put in a series of attacks on 2 October of arms to escalate their campaign of assassinations. District in search of a Catholic arms to escalate their campaign of almost thirty during. Including the UVF has been on MI5s payroll for decades, so is... Members shot dead RUC officer Victor Arbuckle in 1972, the UVF been! Where a package was passed through the window ] the UVF also attacked republican paramilitaries and political activists,... Over drug dealing in East Belfast has created a `` health crisis '' it has been involved in rioting drug! The damage from security service informers started in 1983 with "supergrass" Joseph Bennett's information, which led to the arrest of fourteen senior figures. Technical Catalog: PVCu Double Union Ball Valves SX. [86][87], On 2526 October 2010, the UVF was involved in rioting and disturbances in the Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey with UVF gunmen seen on the streets at the time. [67] The UVF also killed senior IRA paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper' Burns and Larry Marley. There are various credible[citation needed] allegations that elements of the British security forces colluded with the UVF in the bombings. The breakaway East Belfast UVF will almost certainly rebuff any invitation to take part. Criminal brothers who were among the East Belfast UVFs biggest drug dealers are facing prison after admitting running a money-spinning cocaine network. [115] Many retaliatory attacks on Catholics were claimed using the covername "Protestant Action Force" (PAF), which first appeared in autumn 1974. The drugs haul has been linked by police to the East Belfast UVF. [116] They always signed their statements with the fictitious name "Captain William Johnston". WebFort Collins Office. Thirty-three people were killed and almost 300 injured. [117], Like the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the UVF's modus operandi involved assassinations, mass shootings, bombings and kidnappings. [33][34] There were further attacks in the Republic between October and December 1969. It has been speculated that Graham has one as does UDA chief Jackie McDonald as well as a number of people believed to have been involved in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. James McGrogan (36) and 31-year-old Christopher Cullen were remanded in custody after appearing in court last week charged with possessing the drug with intent to supply. James McGrogan (36) and A MAN in his 30s has been arrested following the seizure of suspected cocaine and cannabis by police investigating criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF. Read about our approach to external linking. [25] On 21 May, the group issued a statement: From this day, we declare war against the Irish Republican Army and its splinter groups. Grahams plan to expel the East and put in a place a new brigadier and command structure has failed to take off. The leadership faces further concerns over the conflict resolution conference, Graham and senior sidekicks such as Harmless Harry Stockman have lost the trust of many members, particularly those who were active during the conflict. 3420 East Harmony Road. It was the UVF's deadliest attack in Northern Ireland, and the deadliest attack in Belfast during the Troubles. Ontario is to Ulster Protestants what Boston is to Irish Catholics." [126] Members were disciplined after they carried out an unsanctioned theft of 8 million of paintings from an estate in Co Wicklow in April 1974.

", This page was last edited on 27 March 2023, at 09:41. [43] Both the UVF and the British Government have denied the claims. On Sunday, police confirmed the 51-year-old, 47-year-old and 34-year-old have also been charged with possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances and possession of explosives with intent to endanger life. 100k cocaine discovered in a car in east Belfast. In October 1975, after staging a counter-coup, the Brigade Staff acquired a new leadership of moderates with Tommy West serving as the Chief of Staff. It was alleged that Colin Armstrong had links to both drugs and loyalist terrorists. UVF drug dealing in east Belfast has created a "health crisis" it has been claimed. From that time until the early 1990s the Mid-Ulster Brigade was led by Robin "the Jackal" Jackson, who then passed the leadership to Billy Wright. A spokesman for the PSNI later said the "operation demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force to protecting communities and dismantling the supply of illegal drugs linked to East Belfast UVF". He doesnt hide the fact that this was his vehicle. The group undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles. Man murdered wife by pushing her off Arthur's Seat, Anti-vaccine Kennedy to challenge Biden in 2024, Tennessee holding rare vote to kick out Democrats, Dealer pleads guilty over Michael K Williams death, US teen shot by officer sitting behind him in car, Italy ex-PM Berlusconi in hospital with leukaemia. Two alleged drugs barons arrested over a 100,000 cocaine haul that police linked to the East Belfast UVF are Catholics from west Belfast. New details may cast doubt on claims residents fled and sheltered for over a week from a suspected Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) show of strength in east Belfast, a court has heard. Urgent inquiries are being made with the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) over events in Pitt Park last month. One study focusing in part on female members of the UVF and Red Hand Commando noted that it "seem[ed] to have been reasonably unusual" for women to be officially asked to join the UVF. The arms are thought to have consisted of: The UVF used this new infusion of arms to escalate their campaign of sectarian assassinations. CAIN also states that republicans killed 15 UVF members, some of whom are suspected to have been set up for assassination by their colleagues. It has been reported that police linked the paramilitary group to all drug dealing in east Belfast during a sentencing hearing for Robert Rab Osborne last week. "[18], In November 2013, after a series of shootings and acts of intimidation by the UVF, Police Federation Chairman Terry Spence declared that the UVF ceasefire was no longer active. [75], On 3 May 2007, following recent negotiations between the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, the UVF made a statement that they would transform to a "non-military, civilianised" organisation.

On 23 October 1972, the UVF carried out an armed raid against King's Park camp, a UDR/Territorial Army depot in Lurgan. Leader of the, 414 (~85%) were civilians, 11 of whom were civilian political activists, 21 (~4%) were members or former members of republican paramilitary groups, 44 (~9%) were members or former members of loyalist paramilitary groups, 6 (~1%) were members of the British security forces. 26 March, 2023 01:00. These attacks were stepped up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in the east Tyrone and north Armagh areas. [9] According to the book Lost Lives (2006 edition), it was responsible for 569 killings. On the basis of that, we as a federation have called for the respecification of the UVF [stating that its ceasefire is over]. (2006) "Neglected Intelligence: How the British Government Failed to Quell the Ulster Volunteer Force, 19121914. evacuated in the Connswater Grove area and near the Skainos Centre. The searches led to two security alerts, that required homes to be evacuated in the Connswater Grove area and near the Skainos Centre. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "I welcome the PSNIs continued success in east Belfast against these drug gangs, who bring misery to our streets and neighbourhoods," he said. Two vehicles were also seized during the searches as well a large quantity of assorted ammunition, balaclavas and UVF flags, Police seized eight handguns and three pipe bombs. Three men in court after puppies, Canada Goose jackets, cannabis seized in north Dublin, Senior Kinahan gangster rearrested over feud murder of The Monks brother Eddie Hutch, Businessman who raised alarm after woman stabbed to death in Limerick tells of shock, Man arrested after drugs worth 188k seized at Dublin Port with help of sniffer dog. Loyalist sources said they were surprised the seizures had been linked to the East Belfast UVF, given the backgrounds of the people in the dock. Cops had earlier witnessed the Volkswagen Jetta being driven to a property on Picardy Avenue, where a package was passed through the window. There was to be much overlap in membership between the UCDC/UPV and the UVF.[23]. During the riot, UVF members shot dead RUC officer Victor Arbuckle. Fifteen Catholic civilians were killed and seventeen wounded. Tel: +1 206 217 7500. Giving evidence, a detective claimed the defendants clean record made him an ideal candidate to fly below the radar and transport drugs. The main problems were between East Belfast chief Tommy Herron and Charles Harding Smith, his rival in the west of the city, over who controlled the movement. [36], In January 1970, the UVF began bombing Catholic-owned businesses in Protestant areas of Belfast. [citation needed] The arms were divided between the UVF, the UDA (the largest loyalist group) and Ulster Resistance.[62]. The long-standing East Belfast UVF leadership is wholly committed to preserving the sacrifice of the UVF during the conflict period, and alongside ensuring the union is safe, delivering an innovative and genuine process of positive transition.. [32], The UVF had launched its first attack in the Republic of Ireland on 5 August 1969, when it bombed the RT Television Centre in Dublin. It claimed the pubs were used for republican fundraising. Thousands of families, mostly Catholics, were forced to flee their homes and refugee camps were set up in the Republic of Ireland. It began carrying out gun attacks to kill random Catholic civilians and using car bombs to attack Catholic-owned pubs. The first British soldier to be killed by the Provisional IRA died in February 1971. On Saturday officers from that unit seized class A drugs, a quantity of white powder and prescription medication, with an estimated value in excess of 100,000 along with 30,000 in cash after a car was stopped on Montgomery Road in east Belfast. The statement said the east Belfast UVF "wholeheartedly condemned" the murder and that "whoever did it, did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF". Other senior members have been sanctioned and Elliotts replacement is seen as a safe pair of hands and known to be anti-drugs as Graham tries to convince British government negotiators he is serious about finally delivering on his promise to stand the UVF down. WebThe East Belfast UVF says 20 once prominent members of the organisation have been expelled over drug dealing.