[33], In November 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to having witnessed his father's murder. 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. A volley of shots was fired over his coffin by UDA gunmen outside his Rathcoole home. A mortally wounded Carson died later in hospital, and taxi driver William McKnight was seriously hurt. 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. In 2000 he helped to ensure that a proposal before the Inner Council to initiate the decommissioning of weapons was rejected. Senior members of the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando also attended. 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. 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. Snoddy was close to UDA leader Andy Tyrie and was recognised as one of his closest allies amongst the UDA leadership.[7]. His perceived "crime" was a throwaway remark he made privately, when he criticised an attack by the South East Antrim UDA on a friend's business. 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. [84] 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. Themen: Politische Wochenschau, politische Theorie, Artikel und Berichte zu Themen rund um berwachung, Repression, Wirtschaft, Soziales, Befreiungsnationalismus, Antiimperialismus, Zeitgeschichte und Literaturhinweise In May cops arrested and charged four men in connection with a kilo of cocaine seized back in 2020. "When Gary was in complete control, there would have been no suggestion of any leaks, it was a tight, tight operation. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles". 1 February 2003, along with another UDA member, Robert Rab Carson, Gregg was shot dead on Nelson Street, in the old Sailortown district near the Belfast docks, while travelling in a red Toyota taxi after returning from Glasgow where he regularly went to watch Rangers F.C. [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 served as brigadier of the UDA's South East Antrim Brigade. He sought to portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier. [43] 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. Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Whiskey fungus forces Jack Daniels to stop construction, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, UN to ignore remarks of India guru's fictional country, India court panel to probe Adani fraud allegations. The veteran loyalist, who was 'brigadier' of its South East Antrim unit, was kicked out of the organisation last week. Gregg and his team were apprehended almost immediately by a British Army patrol that opened fire on them before ramming their car. [65], On 25 November 2020 the Belfast Telegraph reported that the South East Antrim UDA had passed on a threat against one of their journalists. 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. Former PSNI superintendent Ken Pennington said he considers them to be "a criminal cartel that have wrapped themselves in a flag". [7] Sometime after the Combined Loyalist Military Command of 1994 he succeeded Joe English, who had emerged as a leading figure in the Ulster Democratic Party, as so-called brigadier of the South-East Antrim UDA. On 6 January 2010, the UDA announced that it had put its weapons "verifiably beyond use". In response, graffiti appeared around the walls of Rathcoole in December, stating: Daft Dog and White beware. And one-time trusted lieutenant Colin Simms is in disgrace after being linked with the murder in Carrick a year ago of Glenn Quinn. 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. 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. The Sunday World understands he is desperate for an exit strategy that will take him out of the firing line. Killing Rage The life and death of Eamon Collins. This followed in summer 2002 when a community centre was taken over for this purpose although Greggs UDA objected and daubed the building with the word tout. T he breakaway South East Antrim has issued a warning that it will get tough with Carrick dealers . About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. He spent six months in jail for rioting in 1977. Charlie Strain, Hugh Cameron, Tommy Hollran and Mark Gourley, who is missing presumed murdered. 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. He sought to portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier. Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, Statistical breakdown of deaths in the Troubles of Northern Ireland 1969 2001, Irish National Liberation Army ( I.N.L.A ), Irish Republican Army. [45] As of 2014 Fisher was still identified by the Irish Independent as Brigadier, with the brigade reported as being in the process of rearming. "It is notoriously difficult to leave," a senior loyalist source told us. Fisher associates subjected Simms to a punishment shooting after he was found with his hands in the till. games. On 8 February 2010, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that the Brigade had completed decommissioning. 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Masked gunmen immediately opened fire on the occupants with automatic weapons. [16], Gregg was released from prison in 1993. UDA. "But then what happened was that the UDA began to splinter into criminal gangs, criminal fiefdoms.". Senior members of South East Antrim UDA want to take out . [14] Later in the year, English was forced to confront Adair about rumours that Adair was considering attending an Inner Council meeting armed in order to eliminate the other five brigadiers and assume sole control of the UDA. It has brought the town under close scrutiny from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. Gregg, seated in the backseat, was hit at close range and died instantly. fifty skinheads appeared from nowhere, many of them wearing Chelsea and Rangers football scarves and covered in Loyalist and swastika tattoos. [6] 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. His plan to flee to Scotland has also been put on hold after loyalists there were warned not to harbour him. Despite the continuing activity of his brigade, and his own earlier maiming, Gregg shared the reluctance of other brigadiers about what he saw as a coming war between the UVF and West Belfast brigadier Johnny Adair. @caolan-mclaughlin-844507501 this is a UDA song ya muppet why u put f the uvf know yer history kid. [20] This followed in summer 2002 when a community centre was taken over for this purpose although Gregg's UDA objected and daubed the building with the word "tout". [52] The South-east Antrim brigadier, who was not named in reports, stated that any brigade members attending Gilmore's funeral would be expelled. A UDA/UFF South-East Antrim Brigade mural in Newtownabbey. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) [57] Fisher was subsequently identified by the Sunday Life as brigadier, with the paper accusing him of ordering the shooting of Horner. Widely known as a man with a fearsome . [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. [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. Gregg's 18-year-old son Stuart and another man were also in the vehicle but neither sustained injuries in the shooting attack. [9] Gregg's fearsome reputation earned him the nickname "the Reaper" and he bore a tattoo of the Grim Reaper on his back as a tribute. 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. MEDIA SCRUTINY: Press coverage is heaping pressure on Gary Fisher. Senior members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Loyalist Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando also attended. Free. 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. Widely known as a man with a fearsome reputation, Gregg was considered a "hawk" in some loyalist circles. Senior members of South East Antrim UDA want to take out the UVF man who they believe gave up their drug dealers. [1][2] It is claimed they control "100%" of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim, Northern Ireland. Belfast Books Thanks for promoting my book mate. [54] Two men were subsequently charged with the murder. John Gregg (1957 - 1 February 2003) was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. [30] This briefly occurred in late August when one of Adair's allies took command of the brigade, although this proved short-lived. Both men, who lived on Ferris Avenue, had their houses burnt out during the attack. [37], Following the conclusion of the feud with Adair the UDA reconstituted its ceasefire in what they christened the "Gregg initiative". Greggs killing proved to be the undoing of Adair. 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. [8] Gregg, Colin Gray and Gerry Welsh were immediately arrested by the waiting British Army, who had doctored the bullets to reduce their lethality. Simms' demise was the catalyst for the disintegration of Fisher's power base. [58], 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. Much of this activity was inspired by Greggs personal hatred of Catholics. [18] Catholic workman Gary Moore was killed in Monkstown in 2000 in another killing attributed to Gregg's unit. [19] In late August 1997, the brigade became involved in simmering tensions with fellow loyalist paramilitaries in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). And now it's emerged the UVF heavy has also given a separate list of UDA-linked dealers to the cops. [34], Gregg was given a paramilitary funeral which was attended by thousands of mourners, including senior UDA members Jackie McDonald, Jim Gray, Sammy Duddy and Michael Stone. It used the name Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) to claim responsibility for attacks and, because the two claimed to be separate organisations, the UDA was able to . ago. Sources in South East Antrim have told us Fisher has been trying to engineer an exit strategy with enough money to sustain a life away from the UDA. Following his release from prison, Gregg returned to Rathcoole where he again became an important figure, taking a central role in the illegal drug trade, with his Rathcoole stronghold a centre of narcotics.Sometime after the Combined Loyalist Military Command of 1994 he succeeded Joe English, who had emerged as a leading figure in the Ulster Democratic Party, as brigadier of the South-East Antrim UDA. Close pal Clifford 'Trigger' Irons is currently out on bail awaiting trial on drugs charges. John Gregg (1957 1 February 2003) was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. South East Antrim UDA crime boss Gary Fisher is facing an internal revolt with even his closest lieutenants saying his time is up. Saturday, 28 January 2023 ePaper Police confirmed that they were treating it as part of the existing feud. [2], Gregg joined the Ulster Young Militants (UYM), the youth wing of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) at the age of 14. The UDA member claimed the paramilitary group was heavily involved in serious crime in the south east Antrim area . [4], Gregg and his team were apprehended almost immediately by a British Army patrol that opened fire on them before ramming their car. "These people are completely ruthless, I believe that it would put my life in danger," he said. [18] English would soon re-emerge as part of the Ulster Democratic Party. 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