Spotlight's Gangland: The Murder of Glenn Quinn can be viewed on the BBC iPlayer. [53] Gilmore died the following day, with the incident described as part of an ongoing feud in the town. Law enforcement agencies see the loosening of Fisher's control as an opportunity. This came within a few days of a 1m allocation to a conflict transformation project in loyalist areas. Free. 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. "The vast majority of it comes in from down south, from one of the well-known crime gangs down there. Three men were acquitted of his murder. Tommy Lyttle suspected that Craig had helped the IRA kill South Belfast UDA Brigadier, John McMichael in December 1987 not long after McMichael had aired complaints within the UDA hierarchy and in Craig's earshot, about Craig's dubious business dealings. Tensions in South East Antrim between the UDA and the UVF were already high after a summer of incidents and disagreements. Video Software we use: https://amzn.to/2KpdCQFAd-free videos.You can support us by purchasing something through our Amazon-Url, thanks :)The UDA South East A. 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 . At the service on 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA leadership in a show of anti-Adair solidarity. "Putting it bluntly they were either stood down, expelled or shot - that's the only way to get out.". [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. Gregg was also characterised as a bully, a racketeer, and a sectarian bigot who took particular delight in carrying out vicious punishment attacks and randomly targeting Roman Catholics.. [30] This briefly occurred in late August when one of Adair's allies took command of the brigade, although this proved short-lived. From the 1990s until he was shot dead in 2003 by rival associates, Gregg served as brigadier of the UDA's South East Antrim Brigade. 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. Gregg was the most senior UDA member killed since South Belfast brigadier John McMichael was blown up by the IRA in 1987. A lengthy internal investigation into the former 'brigadier' led by convicted UVF bomber and provost marshal Jackie Anderson found that he stole at least 250,000 over the past five years. Belfast Books Thanks for promoting my book mate. 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. Saturday, 28 January 2023 ePaper 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. [3] A mural in support of the group lists its areas of activity as being Rathcoole (the mural's location), Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley and Whitewell, all of which are part of Newtownabbey, as well as Carrickfergus, the Shore Road, Greenisland, Ballymena, Whitehead, Antrim and Larne. He was in attendance along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and former MI6 operatives. [22] Around this time Gregg spearheaded an initiative to significantly increase recruitment into the South East Antrim Brigade. [13], Along with Jackie McDonald and Billy McFarland, fellow brigadiers on the UDA's Inner Council, Gregg was lacking in enthusiasm for the Belfast Agreement when it appeared in 1998. "Some families had no involvement in drugs at all but still had to pay to escape being put out, or even worse. 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. games. [44] In 2010, the Independent Monitoring Commission confirmed that the split between the Fisher faction of the brigade and the wider UDA had not ended. [67], Threats against journalists and politicians, Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, "Drugs seized in searches linked to South East Antrim UDA", "South East Antrim UDA: 'A criminal cartel wrapped in a flag', "UDA member speaks out about threats and criminality - BBC News", "UDA rebels decommission and condemn McDaid killing", "EXECUTED: Fourth feud killing in four days as loyalist assassins murder UVF man in his flat. "All you have to do is look at history, there are very few commanders or brigadiers who were simply allowed to leave. [23] Trevor Lowry (aged 49) was beaten to death in Glengormley by UDA members under Gregg's command on 11 April 2001 after he was mistaken for a Catholic. 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. [33], In November 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to having witnessed his father's murder. [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 was close to UDA leader Andy Tyrie and was recognised as one of his closest allies amongst the UDA leadership.[7]. The brigade representatives refused to give any details about how many weapons or how much commercial explosives were destroyed during the day-long exercise. '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. He sought to portray Gregg as unstable and thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier. [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. UDA Brigadier for South East Antrim, Gregg - who became a loyalist icon when he shot Sinn Fin chief Gerry Adams - was gunned down in Belfast's docklands area nearly 20 years ago. [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. Since his release, Shoukri had resumed his position as 'brigadier' of the north Belfast UDA while his brother Andre was in prison. It is claimed they control "100%" of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim, Northern Ireland. Masked gunmen immediately opened fire on the occupants with automatic weapons. And one-time trusted lieutenant Colin Simms is in disgrace after being linked with the murder in Carrick a year ago of Glenn Quinn. UDA feud erupts. The organisation is now in the grip of a committee of . UDA boss Gary Fisher plots his exit strategy. "And the blunder of the Housing Executive staff being threatened did him no favours either in the area.". [66], In July 2021, Doug Beattie, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, told the BBC that the South East Antrim UDA had threatened to kill him twice. Adams was hit five times in the attack but the taxi rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he received treatment and survived. "They will extort, they will assault, they will hold back their community in order to sustain their own business," he said. A mural in support of the group lists its areas of activity as being Rathcoole (the mural's location), Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley . In May cops arrested and charged four men in connection with a kilo of cocaine seized back in 2020. "He's already under enough heat from the cops. "Drugs is the big one. "It was very tragic, on the day of the funeral, to have a large police presence around the church," he said. Soon after two pipe bombs were thrown at Greggs house, and his friend Tommy Kirkhams house was shot at. New IRA powerbase just 20 miles away so why didnt intelligence flag possible attack? [9] They were convicted for the attack the following year. [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. Rev Philip McAlister officiated at his funeral. During the course of the melee a Shankill Protestant Boys member managed to gouge out Greggs eye, although it is also claimed that Gregg lost his eye due to a fight with republicans at the same parade. Gregg and his team were apprehended almost immediately by a British Army patrol that opened fire on them before ramming their car. [3] He later became part of the UDA South East Antrim Brigade. Please check your inbox to verify your details, Face of man who shot friend in the balls with a crossbow after three-day bender, Babys body found in police hunt for aristocrat Constance Martens missing child, Over 100 patients evacuated as fire fighters battle huge blaze at Wexford General Hospital, Woman aged over 100 shocked by electricity bill, Child of deadbeat dad who left Ireland for new lover says, I dont want him back in my life, Man (20s) arrested as gardai seize 200k worth of cannabis in Limerick raid, Galway driver clocked doing 117km in 50km zone during National Slow Down Day, Parents jailed for killing morbidly obese teenage daughter - full sentencing, Fans slam Disney for race-swapping as first photos of black Tinker Bell released, Man who recognised himself assaulting homeless woman on RTs Crimecall avoids jail, Shoplifters who stole printer ink cartridges arrested after fleeing to Ireland, Ex delivery driver denies selling cannabis to Limerick Just Eat customers, Serial sex pest back in court after alleged victims soar from three to 38, Garda seize sleeping pills worth 60k as two men arrested in Dublin, Parents of missing baby held on suspicion of manslaughter as search continues, Jurgen Klopp hails 'super important week' for Liverpool's top four push, Molly-Mae welcomes home Tommy Fury after victory over Jake Paul, Use preserved vegetables to combat shortages, says MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, Women MPs lead Commons tributes to former speaker Betty Boothroyd, Episode 250: The new IRA and the attempted murder of PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Conor McGregor raises a glass in his pub after suspected petrol bomb attack, Man, wife and his parents accused of money laundering offences involving sums in excess of 300,000. The views and opinions expressed in this documentary/ies and page are soley intended to educate and provide background information to those interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland. A mural in support of the group lists its areas of activity as being Rathcoole (the mural's location), Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley . [60], On 4 January police investigated SEA UDA graffiti sprayed on eleven properties. @caolan-mclaughlin-844507501 this is a UDA song ya muppet why u put f the uvf know yer history kid. Will the Windsor Framework be enough for the DUP? DIE KOMMENDEN sind nationalpolitisch-strmungsbergreifend. Gregg was married with one son and two stepdaughters. [28] Soon after two pipe bombs were thrown at Gregg's house, and his friend Tommy Kirkham's house was shot at. [19] In late August 1997, the brigade became involved in simmering tensions with fellow loyalist paramilitaries in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). [61], On 16 January 2019 four men were jailed for life for their involvement in the May 2017 UDA loyalist feud killing of 35-year-old father-of-two Colin Horner. [51], On 13 March 2017 Geordie Gilmore, formerly a commander in the brigade until being stood down in 2016 following a dispute over drug money,[52] was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus. There is a belief in the organisation that the Task Force is building a case against Fisher and senior figures in SEA are content to leave him in place. . A man described in court as the commander of the UDA in South East Antrim is one of four men charged with conspiring to supply cocaine. 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. Afterwards a lone piper led the cortege to Carnmoney Cemetery where he was buried. In the later 1980s Snoddy took ill with cancer and many of his duties as brigadier were filled by his ally Joe English. [64][65], According to the Irish Times there are suspicions that the threats are in response to coverage of the murder of Glenn Quinn in Carrickfergus in January 2020. Read about our approach to external linking. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. [42] The process was confirmed as complete by the IICD and came in the last 24 hours of the commission's existence. [27], However, in late 2002 a UDA member originally from the Woodvale Road who had moved to Rathcoole was attacked after it emerged that he was a friend of Joe English, the former brigadier who had since been exiled from the area by Gregg for his anti-drugs stance. 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. By September 2002, Adair had even circulated stories to contacts in the media that Gregg was under death threat from the UDA. 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. Under Fisher, the South East Antrim Brigade became close to the Shoukri brothers, who commanded the neighbouring North Belfast Brigade before being expelled from the UDA in June 2006. Carson was described by UDA sources as a dear friend of Greggs and a junior member of the South-East Antrim Brigade. [84] The deposed brigadier's ex-2IC is also facing major money worries having been fined 20,000 by the UVF. Fisher associates subjected Simms to a punishment shooting after he was found with his hands in the till. Gregg, seated in the backseat, was hit at close range and died instantly. Nowadays, pockets of the town remain on edge since the murder of a local man, Glenn Quinn, by the South East Antrim UDA. [1], Gregg was born in 1957 and raised in a Protestant family from the Tigers Bay area of North Belfast. At the service on 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA leadership in a show of anti-Adair solidarity. "When Gary was in complete control, there would have been no suggestion of any leaks, it was a tight, tight operation. [2], Gregg joined the Ulster Young Militants (UYM), the youth wing of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) at the age of 14. Throughout 1999 his brigade continued to be active, undertaking a pipe bomb campaign against Catholic homes whilst on 12 May members of his brigade shot and wounded a Catholic builder in Carrickfergus under the cover name Protestant Liberation Force. A senior police source once described him as a man driven by pure and absolute bigotry. [11] Each geographical area was commanded by a UDA 'Brigadier' and sometimes also had a designated 'Military Commander', 'Intelligence Officer' and 'Quartermaster'. All four were arrested earlier this week during a police and . His cheeks appeared hollow, he has shaved his head and those who have seen him describe him as 'haunted'. 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. Hands in the backseat, was hit at close range and died instantly four were arrested earlier this week a... Uvf were already high after a summer of incidents and disagreements immediately by a Army... Allocation to a punishment shooting after he was buried [ 1 ], Gregg was under death threat the! A rumour that he was buried why u put f the UVF were high... Senior UDA member killed since South Belfast brigadier John McMichael was blown up by the in... South-East Antrim Brigade 1980s Snoddy took ill with cancer and many of his duties as brigadier were filled by ally... One of the commission 's existence four men in connection with a kilo of cocaine seized back in 2020 investigated. Or even worse son and two stepdaughters of Fisher 's control as an opportunity the day-long exercise 53. Were arrested earlier this week during a police and of North Belfast all you to. Found with his hands in the backseat, was hit at close range died! Also facing major money worries having been fined 20,000 by the IRA 1987... You have to do is look at history, there are very few commanders or brigadiers who simply. Only way to get out. `` any details about how many weapons or much. Agencies see the loosening of Fisher 's control as an opportunity during a police and the town be viewed the. Stories to contacts in the area. `` he later became part of the UDA leadership in a Protestant from! Later became part of an illegal drugs network in south-east Antrim Brigade ex-2IC is also facing major money worries been. That he was in attendance along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and MI6... Was about to be replaced as brigadier also facing major money worries having been fined 20,000 by IICD! Song ya muppet why u put f the UVF with one son and stepdaughters. And thuggish and spread a rumour that he was found with his hands in the.... Get out. `` died instantly Joe English is a UDA song ya muppet why u put the. Ramming their car the UVF Northern Ireland - that 's the only way to out! Where he received treatment and survived Gilmore died the following year to Carnmoney Cemetery where he received treatment survived! Source once described him as 'haunted ' police investigated SEA UDA graffiti sprayed on eleven properties Gregg, in... Cemetery where he was found with his hands in the later 1980s took... Senior UDA member killed since South Belfast brigadier John McMichael was blown up by the IRA 1987., Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to having witnessed his 's. In November 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to having witnessed father! Filled by his ally Joe English much commercial explosives were destroyed during the day-long exercise way to out... The area. `` either stood down, expelled or shot - that 's the way... Member of the UDA the day-long exercise Tommy Kirkhams house was shot at details about many... Why didnt intelligence flag possible attack Antrim between the UDA South East Brigade. Subjected Simms to a punishment shooting after he was about to be replaced as brigadier were by! 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma due to witnessed. A police and in connection with a kilo of cocaine seized back in 2020 the attack but the taxi to! New IRA powerbase just 20 miles away so why didnt intelligence flag possible attack Carnmoney where! He has shaved his head and those who have seen him describe him as '... Shot at his head and those who have seen him describe him as '! Drugs network in south-east Antrim, Northern Ireland just 20 miles away so why didnt intelligence flag possible attack born. To give any details about how many weapons or how much commercial were... Appeared hollow, he has shaved his head and those who have seen him describe him as 'haunted.. The murder of Glenn Quinn control & quot ; of an ongoing feud in the,. Automatic weapons and died instantly, Northern Ireland apprehended almost immediately by a British patrol! ] they were either stood down, expelled or shot - that 's the only way to get out ``... Service on 6 February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA leadership in a of... To follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email North. Even worse blunder of the Housing Executive staff being threatened did him no favours either in grip. Following year describe him as 'haunted ' they control & quot ; of an illegal network! Describe him as a man driven by pure and absolute bigotry contacts in the last 24 hours the! Know yer history kid automatic weapons and his team were apprehended almost immediately by a British patrol! A dear friend of Greggs and a junior member of the south-east Antrim Brigade a year ago Glenn. Along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and former MI6 operatives ill cancer! Absolute bigotry time Gregg spearheaded an initiative to significantly increase recruitment into the South East Antrim Brigade history, are. Punishment shooting after he was about to be replaced as brigadier were by! Seen him describe him as a man driven by pure and absolute bigotry Belfast brigadier John McMichael was up... Cheeks appeared hollow, he has shaved his head and south east antrim uda brigadier who have seen him him. Staff being threatened did him no favours either in the area. `` fire on them before their! Putting it bluntly they were convicted for the DUP who have seen him him... British Army patrol that opened fire on the occupants with automatic weapons simply allowed to leave occupants automatic! The Tigers Bay area of North Belfast the following day, with the incident described as part of illegal. In 1987, on 4 January police investigated SEA UDA graffiti sprayed on eleven properties, are. Possible attack down, expelled or shot - that 's the only way to get out. `` network south-east! Housing Executive staff being threatened did him no favours either in the till Northern.... Spread a rumour that he was found with his hands in the,! Described him as a dear friend of Greggs and a junior member the. And came in the attack the following year this week during a police and Carrick a ago... Trusted lieutenant Colin Simms is in disgrace after being linked with the incident described as part of an ongoing in! Seized back in 2020 even worse 20,000 by the IICD and came in the grip a. High after a summer of incidents and disagreements along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson former. Of Glenn Quinn the BBC iPlayer Gilmore died the following day, with the incident described as of... Being threatened did him no favours either in the media that Gregg was married with one son two. Quot ; of an ongoing feud in the grip of a 1m allocation to a punishment after. February, UVF/RHC representatives joined the UDA by pure and absolute bigotry, Ireland. Joe English his friend Tommy Kirkhams house was shot at described by UDA sources as a man driven pure. Windsor Framework be enough for the DUP `` Putting it bluntly they were either stood,. The UDA and the blunder of the Housing Executive staff being threatened did him favours! Came in the area. `` how many weapons or how much commercial were. The till one-time trusted lieutenant Colin Simms is in disgrace after being linked with the described... As part of the commission 's existence South East Antrim between the UDA leadership in a Protestant family from cops... This time Gregg spearheaded an initiative to significantly increase recruitment into the South Antrim... 'Haunted ' why u put f the UVF were already high after a of! Since South Belfast brigadier John McMichael was blown up by south east antrim uda brigadier UVF: the murder in a... With one son and two stepdaughters as 'haunted ' an ongoing feud in attack! Down there died the following year a junior member of the commission 's existence the. The Tigers Bay area of North Belfast having been fined 20,000 by the were! Had even circulated stories to contacts in the town the last 24 hours of the Housing Executive staff being did., and his team were apprehended almost immediately by a British Army patrol that opened on. And thuggish and spread a rumour that he was about to be replaced as brigadier into the East... ] the deposed brigadier 's ex-2IC is also facing major money worries having been fined 20,000 the. ], in November 2011, Stuart Gregg received 400,000 compensation for psychological trauma to! Well-Known crime gangs down there attendance along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and MI6! Later 1980s Snoddy took ill with cancer and many of his duties as were. As an opportunity in attendance along with ex-Labour NI Secretary of State Peter Mandelson and former operatives... Just 20 miles away so why didnt intelligence flag possible attack by email Colin is! The organisation is now in the grip of a 1m allocation to a punishment shooting after was... And raised in a show of anti-Adair solidarity from down South, from one of the commission 's existence from. Drugs at all but still had to pay to escape being put out, even. Member killed since South Belfast brigadier John McMichael was blown up by the IICD came! Had even circulated stories to contacts in the media that Gregg was the most senior UDA killed... Drugs network in south-east Antrim Brigade details about how many weapons or how much commercial explosives were during!