From: "Stasi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Peoples War] Ireland: UDA "Has 3000 Active Members" - Sunday Life PUBLICATION DATE: Sunday 20 January Sunday Life Chilling Catalogue of death and terror ========================= THE UDA is believed to have over 3,000 active members. The paramilitary group is divided into six brigades: SOUTH EAST ANTRIM Led by ex-UFF prisoner John "Grug" Gregg. The murder of postman Danny McColgan was the latest in a series of sectarian killings linked to the hardline brigade. Catholic workman Gary Moore was shot in Monkstown in December 2000; Glengormley man Trevor Lowry, a Protestant apparently mistaken for a Catholic, was kicked to death last March; and teenage schoolboy Gavin Brett, also a Protestant, was killed in August when gunmen fired on youths standing near a GAA club. It is understood Gregg, the brigade's leader, was in Scotland when Mr McColgan was murdered last weekend. He achieved loyalist hero status for shooting and wounding Gerry Adams in 1984. He later told the BBC's Peter Taylor his only regret about the murder bid was that he did not succeed. SOUTH BELFAST Led by UDA veteran Jackie McDonald, who in 1990 was jailed for blackmail, intimidation and threatening to kill. McDonald is regarded as a restraining influence. He acted as a mediator to end the bloody UVF/UFF feud, which left seven men dead during 2000. He is thought to believe the group needs a political direction and fears it'll be cast into the wilderness if it follows the path of sectarian violence. EAST BELFAST Led by publican 'Big' Jim Gray, a close friend of Milltown Cemetery killer Michael Stone. He was part of a UDP team which went to the Maze in January 1998 on the day the then Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, visited UDA inmates, including Stone and Johnny Adair. The brigade's leadership is believed to share McDonald's concerns. It has been the least active of UDA brigades since the 1994 loyalist ceasefire. But security sources claim members have been heavily involved in criminal activities. Leading member George Legge was tortured and murdered in January 2001. He was allegedly killed by UFF comrades in a row over drugs. CO LONDONDERRY/NORTH ANTRIM Led by Billy McFarland, who has convictions for possession of explosives and firearms. McFarland is believed to take a strong anti-drugs line. The outfit has been staunchly anti-Agreement and its leadership is understood to be close to counterparts in South East Antrim. The UFF has been blamed for a series of loyalist pipe bomb attacks on Catholic homes in the area. Coleraine UFF member, William Campbell, 19, was killed earlier this month when a device he was working on exploded. NORTH BELFAST Led by Jim 'Jimbo' Simpson. The 43-year-old was arrested following disturbances along the Limestone Road/Halliday's Road interface in October. He's currently on bail, charged with riotous behaviour and inciting others to riot. He was also part of the UDP team at the Maze on the day of Mo Mowlam's controversial meeting with loyalist inmates. It is understood the unit was one of the four brigades which pressed for the UDA to reject the Agreement. Members have been active in sectarian conflict, although have recently set up patrols in a bid to prevent clashes on the Limestone Road interface. Youth member, Glen Branagh, 16, was killed in November during sectarian rioting when a pipe bomb he was carrying exploded in his hand. WEST BELFAST The group's brigadier, William 'Winkie' Dodds, who has a number of terrorist convictions, was recently struck by illness. His place is being filled by Shankill man Mo Courtney, who was jailed for seven years in 1991 for his part in the robbery of a restaurant. The brigade's most infamous member is Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair of the notorious Shankill Road C company. Adair helped forge links between the UFF and the LVF. Members of the brigade are believed to have been involved in recent sectarian clashes in the north of the city. The brigade has also been blamed for the murder of ex-UDA quartermaster-turned-police-agent William Stobie. ULSTER YOUNG MILITANTS The UDA's teenage army, has expanded rapidly in the past few years, particularly in flashpoint areas. In north Belfast, UDA leaders recently began vetting potential recruits, due to the overwhelming numbers seeking to join. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
