Colin Wallace, part of the intelligence apparatus of the British Army, asserted in an internal memo in 1975 that MI6 and RUC Special Branch formed a pseudo-gang within the UVF, designed to engage in violence and to subvert the tentative moves of some in the UVF towards the political process. This development came soon after the UVF's Brigade Staff in Belfast had stood down Wright and the Portadown unit of the Mid-Ulster Brigade, on 2 August 1996, for the killing of a Catholic taxi driver near Lurgan during Drumcree disturbances. 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. [73], On 12 February 2006, The Observer reported that the UVF was to disband by the end of 2006. [90][91] A dissident Republican was arrested for "the attempted murder of police officers in east Belfast" after shots were fired upon the police. According to the Belfast Telegraph, "70 separate police intelligence reports implicating the north Belfast UVF man in dealing cannabis, Ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine. 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.
The drugs haul has been linked by police to the East Belfast UVF. [50] A political wing was formed in June 1974, the Volunteer Political Party led by UVF Chief of Staff Ken Gibson, which contested West Belfast in the October 1974 general election, polling 2,690 votes (6%). . 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. In April 1966, Ulster loyalists led by Ian Paisley, a Protestant fun [152] A Canadian branch of the UDA also existed and sent $30,000 to the UDA's headquarters in Belfast by 1975. Thirty-three people were killed and almost 300 injured. Ciaran Barnes Sunday Life. "I welcome the PSNIs continued success in east Belfast against these drug gangs, who bring misery to our streets and neighbourhoods," he said. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. "Those of us who stand against paramilitarism will remain resolute in the face of any attempts to threaten or silence us," he added. A detective told Belfast Magistrates Court: Inside that hide there was a kilogram of cocaine in various states. Assistant chief constable Drew Harris in a statement said "The UVF are subject to an organised crime investigation as an organised crime group. The UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade was founded in 1972 in Lurgan by Billy Hanna, a sergeant in the UDR and a member of the Brigade Staff, who served as the brigade's commander, until he was shot dead in July 1975. It declared a "CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths crosstabulations", "UVF disbands unit linked to taxi murder", Law and order Belfast-style as two men are forced on a 'walk of shame', 'Report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning', Twenty-Fourth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, "David Madine admits trying to kill loyalist Harry Stockman", "Police say UVF gunman seen in Rathcoole during trouble". That year, a string of tit-for-tat pub bombings began in Belfast. Co-accused Christopher Cullen, from the Upper Lisburn Road, appeared in court the following morning on the same charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply. In October, UVF and UPV member Thomas McDowell was killed by the bomb he was planting at Ballyshannon power station. [122][123] The UVF did not return to regular bombings until the early 1990s when it obtained a quantity of the mining explosive Powergel. [57] The UVF's activities in the last years of the decade were increasingly being curtailed by the number of UVF members who were sent to prison. Please check your inbox to verify your details, Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. "The untouchable informers facing exposure at last". [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. The UVF's leadership is based in Belfast and known as the Brigade Staff. 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. Police seized eight handguns and three pipe bombs during searches in the lower Newtownards Road area. Not all areas will take part, said our source. [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. The vast majority (more than two-thirds)[9][10] of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. August 7, 2021 Crime spree of East Belfast UVF revealed Drug-dealing loyalist paramilitaries are running riot in east Belfast and engaging in a shocking litany of crimes with little interference from the PSNI, according to a report drafted by the paramilitaries themselves. 100k cocaine discovered in a car in east Belfast. [38], The IRA had split into the Provisional IRA and Official IRA in December 1969. Thousands of families, mostly Catholics, were forced to flee their homes and refugee camps were set up in the Republic of Ireland. But a judge has said the UVF is behind ALL drug dealing in the east of the city.See omn [67] The UVF also killed senior IRA paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper' Burns and Larry Marley. Two vehicles were also seized during the searches as well a large quantity of assorted ammunition, balaclavas and UVF flags. [121] However, from 1977 bombs largely disappeared from the UVF's arsenal owing to a lack of explosives and bomb-makers, plus a conscious decision to abandon their use in favour of more contained methods. (If) Bunter delivers the UVF, it will take away any threat of prosecution, a source said. [95] The high levels of orchestration by the leadership of the East Belfast UVF, and the alleged ignored orders from the main leaders of the UVF to stop the violence has led to fears that the East Belfast UVF has now become a separate loyalist paramilitary grouping which doesn't abide by the UVF ceasefire or the Northern Ireland Peace Process. 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. It is telling that when they appeared in court, there was no mention of the UVF, an insider said. This item would be consistent with what was passed through the window at the time of the observations on Picardy Avenue.. He doesnt hide the fact that this was his vehicle. South East Antrim has been reorganised with Den Elliott stood down as Brigadier and fined 50,000 for alleged involvement in unsanctioned rackets. They have been engaged in orchestrating violence on our streets, and it's very clear to me that they are engaged in an array of mafia-style activities. The UVF's declared goals were to combat Irish republicanism particularly the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and to maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. [9] According to the book Lost Lives (2006 edition), it was responsible for 569 killings. Mr de Faoite said he will continue to oppose paramilitaries. In June, nine UVF members were convicted of the attacks. Wright is believed to have dealt mainly in Ecstasy tablets in the early 90s. [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". [22] Spence later wrote "At the time, the attitude was that if you couldn't get an IRA man you should shoot a Taig, he's your last resort". Tel: +1 206 217 7500. WebThe East Belfast UVF says 20 once prominent members of the organisation have been expelled over drug dealing. He works for a local delivery firm.. "Overstating and Misjudging the Prospects of Civil War: The Ulster Volunteer Force and the Irish Volunteers in the Home Rule Crisis, 19121914." There are various credible[citation needed] allegations that elements of the British security forces colluded with the UVF in the bombings. Two UVF men were accidentally blown up in this attack. [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. The East Belfast UVF has said 20 once prominent members of the organisation have been expelled for drug dealing. [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. [33][34] There were further attacks in the Republic between October and December 1969. Some unionists feared Irish nationalism and launched an opposing response in Northern Ireland. 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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. The UVF launched further attacks in the Republic of Ireland during December 1972 and January 1973, when it detonated three car bombs in Dublin and one in Belturbet, County Cavan, killing a total of five civilians. [93], During the Belfast City Hall flag protests of 201213, senior UVF members were confirmed to have actively been involved in orchestrating violence and rioting against the PSNI and the Alliance Party throughout Northern Ireland during the weeks of disorder. In recent years it has regularly been targeted by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. During this time he restructured the organisation into brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections. [128] A British Army report released in 2006 estimated a peak membership of 1,000. [131], Prior to and after the onset of the Troubles the UVF carried out armed robberies. [74], On 2 September 2006, BBC News reported the UVF might be intending to re-enter dialogue with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, with a view to decommissioning of their weapons. Until recent years,[12] it was noted for secrecy and a policy of limited, selective membership. He was the first RUC officer to be killed during the Troubles. [126], The UVF has killed more people than any other loyalist paramilitary group. [99], On 23 March 2019, eleven alleged UVF members were arrested during a total of 14 searches conducted in Belfast, Newtownards and Comber and the suspects, aged between 22 and 48, were taken into police custody for questioning. The group's volunteers undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles. page 1. Along with the newly formed Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the UVF started an armed campaign against the Catholic population of Northern Ireland. 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. UVF drug dealing in east Belfast has caused 'health crisis' Officers seized class A drugs, a quantity of white powder and prescription medication, with an estimated On 18 June 1994, UVF members machine-gunned a pub in the Loughinisland massacre in County Down, on the basis that its customers were watching the Republic of Ireland national football team playing in the World Cup on television and were therefore assumed to be Catholics. The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group. Technical Catalog: PVCu Double Union Ball Valves BV. [102], In April 2021, riots erupted across Loyalist communities in Northern Ireland.[relevant? The men face a number of charges including possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. Secret memo says explosives were shipped in small boats", "The Canadian Dimension to the Northern Ireland Conflict", "BBC - The Devenport Diaries: Remembering Billy Wright", "Sutton Index of Deaths: Crosstabulations (two-way tables)", "Sutton Index of Deaths: Status of the person killed", CAIN University of Ulster Conflict Archive, Ceasefires of the Provisional IRA, UVF, UDA and RHC, Murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine, Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ulster_Volunteer_Force&oldid=1146850921, Proscribed paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland, Organizations based in Europe designated as terrorist, Organisations designated as terrorist by the United Kingdom, Organised crime groups in Northern Ireland, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox militant organization with unknown parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2008, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from August 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, All articles that may have off-topic sections, Wikipedia articles that may have off-topic sections from June 2022, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from June 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, May 1966 present (on ceasefire since October 1994; officially ended armed campaign in May 2007), Unnamed Chief of Staff (1974 October 1975). This move came as the organisation held high-level discussions about its future. Cops had earlier witnessed the Volkswagen Jetta being driven to a property on Picardy Avenue, where a package was passed through the window. Fifteen Catholic civilians were killed and seventeen wounded. [114] At other times, attacks on Catholic civilians were claimed as "retaliation" for IRA actions, since the IRA drew almost all of its support from the Catholic community. [156], Billy Wright, the commander of the UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade, is believed to have started dealing drugs in 1991[157] as a lucrative sideline to paramilitary murder. [92], In July 2011, a UVF flag flying in Limavady was deemed legal by the PSNI after the police had received complaints about the flag from nationalist politicians. [88][89], On the night of 20 June 2011, riots involving 500 people erupted in the Short Strand area of East Belfast. After the Troubles began, an Orange-Canadian loyalist organization known as the Canadian Ulster Loyalist Association (CULA) sprang to life to provide the 'besieged' Protestants with the resources to arm themselves. However, the UVF spurned the government efforts and continued killing. However, that was not enough to stop his client from being remanded in custody. Six of the victims were abducted at random, then beaten and tortured before having their throats slashed. 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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. Birgen, Julia. It issued a statement vowing to "remove republican elements from loyalist areas" and stop them "reaping financial benefit therefrom".
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Between October and December 1969 UVF flags planting at Ballyshannon power station through the window at the of! Nine UVF members were convicted of the organisation held high-level discussions about its future quantity of assorted ammunition, and. Based in Belfast ] there were further attacks in the bombings as the Brigade Staff UPV member Thomas was., selective membership expelled over drug dealing he restructured the organisation into brigades, battalions companies.