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Sunday World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Declassified docs reveal UDA leadership pledged to stop paramilitary activity 20 years ago
Details of the broken promise have emerged in declassified British government documents from 2003-4 National Archives records photo dated 06/02/03 of the former Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, talking to reporters outside the Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin. Sinn Fein raised security concerns with the Government about housing Northern Ireland's new Assembly at Stormont, according to newly released documents from the National Archives. Issue date: Wednesday December 29, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story RECORDS Ulster Stormont. Photo credit should read: Haydn West/PA Wire ...A The UDA leadership pledged to stop all paramilitary activity in a secret meeting with government officials more than 20 years ago. Details of the broken promise have emerged in declassified British government documents from 2003-4. In a number of meetings with officials and then Secretary of State Paul Murphy, the UDA leadership, in the shape of Brigadiers Jackie McDonald, Billy McFarland, Andre Shoukri and Tommy Kirkham, said in return for certain assurances they were ready to transition away from criminality. They had agreed to make an announcement at Remembrance Sunday services in advance of putting their plan in the place. The proposals were warmly welcomed by British officials. Billed as an Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) delegation, the four leading loyalists raised concerns about the influence of UFF commander Johnny Adair and they also demanded equal treatment when compared to the 'support'' given to the IRA as they stood down their activities. memo The UDA made the demands during a meeting with the NIO's Nick Perry, a senior government official. His memo, dated November 4, 2004, said: 'They had two main points to make. First, they want specification lifted before they make their statement on 14 November. Second, they are very concerned about the negative impact which Johnny Adair's release in January could have on the UDA. 'They did not expect him to stay in Northern Ireland after his release, but they did expect him to try to 'make his mark' before departing the scene, or attempt to do so by proxy after his departure.' They also raised concerns about the LVF, an even more sectarian terror offshoot set up by former UDA and UVF members opposed to a ceasefire. Kirkham said their followers 'needed to have some early 'wins' if they were to be persuaded to take a course many would find uncomfortable,' the memo states. Perry wrote: 'McDonald stressed that part of the process was about equality of esteem. The awful things the UDA had done were no worse than those perpetrated by, for example, the last Executive's Education Minister [Martin McGuinness], and the loyalists deserved the same chance of rehabilitation that the republican movement had received. 'Shoukri in particular said that he would need time to wean people off their criminality (!); more genuinely, perhaps, McFarland said that leaving too many people behind could be dangerous.' He said McDonald was 'vehement in his condemnation of drugs'', which Perry noted clearly made Shoukri uncomfortable. Under the terms of their intended statement, the UDA would remain intact and continue to be a proscribed organisation but with a commitment to cease criminal activity. Paul Murphy said it would amount to 'return to barracks'. In a memo to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Murphy was positive about the developments. He said he would be 'announcing my intention to despecify the UDA' in light of the Remembrance Day statement. 'This move is largely symbolic. The UDA will remain an illegal organisation, as, for example, the IRA and UVF still are. Specification relates specifically to the early release of prisoners' legislation, and will have little practical effect. Former UDA spokesman Tommy Kirkham 'But politically it is important, as it involves the Government recognising the UDA's ceasefire. I am taking this step partly because the UDA's behaviour has improved somewhat in recent months, but mainly because there are positive signs that some in the UDA leadership, and their political wing the UPRG, now want to pursue a political path.' He said the Remembrance Sunday pledge in 2004 would a 'very forward'' development. Another letter from Nick Perry, dated November 4, described a 'constructive meeting' with Tommy Kirkham and the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher who 'said that their key requirement remained a despecification announcement ahead of their statement on 14 November'. 'At the end they stressed again the seriousness of their initiative: they wanted 'a dignified end to their war' and some acknowledgement in return. Their statement was not dependent on a breakthrough with the Provisionals, nor on action by the UVF. Billy McFarland 'The proposed statement is very positive (indeed, almost too good, given the UDA's lack of credibility); Kirkham, however, seems confident he can deliver.' One of the conditions was that the UDA would re-engage with the International Commission for Decommissioning. Elsewhere in the newly released files is a report of a meeting between Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern with the UVF-linked PUP where David Ervine told them 'there was only one blockage in the pipe – the IRA's refusal to acknowledge the war was over'. The document said he continued: 'If the IRA ceased to exist there would be no need for loyalist paramilitaries. It had been a long time since the ceasefires but still these hadn't turned into full cessation of activity. Both Governments should hammer home to the IRA the need to declare an end to the war.' The document adds: 'The end of the conflict, Ervine continued, had weakened the loyalist leadership. In particular, many of the 'good guys' [his term] had now walked away, to return to normal life. This meant the proportion of 'bad guys' increased. Previous bad summers had made communities feel insecure, increasing the likelihood of people getting involved with paramilitaries.' More than two decades later the UDA has yet to publicly state their intention to transition away from paramilitary activity and criminality. Jackie McDonald and Andre Shoukri News in 90 Seconds - August 6th
Sunday World
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Johnny ‘Mad Dog' Adair's second-hand suit among merch up for sale online
Johnny Adair told the Sunday World, he was every bit as surprised as everyone else, when he saw his second-hand clothes being offered for sale on a social media market place. A suit worn by Johnny Adair and autograph has gone up for sale with a £500 price tag. A second-hand suit once worn by former loyalist terror chief Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair, is being offered for sale for hundreds of pounds, the Sunday World has learned. A Johnny Adair Memorabilia page has popped up on the social media market place Etsy. And items which once owned by the infamous former loyalist leader and personally authenticated by him as genuine, are now being offered for sale for big money. A low-end signed photograph of Adair will set you back a mere £30. Former UDA boss Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair. But if you want to get your hands on a second-hand dress suit - by Burton the Tailor - and once owned by the UDA's self-proclaimed Director of Terrorism, you will need to shell out a whopping £500! Last Saturday, Johnny Adair told the Sunday World, he was every bit as surprised as everyone else, when he saw his second-hand clothes being offered for sale on a social media market place. Johnny Adair's suit is up for sale News in 90 Seconds - June 19th He said: 'I get requests to meet up with people all the time. 'Sometimes, its people with a genuine interest in the Northern Ireland situation. Often they want to understand my views on the political situation. And if they are genuine and polite, then I'm happy to discuss it with them. 'But in this case, what happened was, a man called to see me asking if I would sign a few glossy pictures of myself. I agreed and I signed around six or so. 'But he kept on bringing out more and more pictures and I kept on signing them. I think I must have signed around 60 of them. 'Then he asked me if I would give him an old suit which I no longer wear.' Johnny Adair's suit. 'I had a light grey suit in my wardrobe which I had bought for a wedding, but no longer wore. He asked me to put it on and to pose for a picture wearing it, so as he could prove it once belonged to me. 'And the next thing I knew was people were stopping me in the street and asking me if I was selling my old clothes on the internet.' said the former UDA leader. A suit worn by Johnny Adair and autograph has gone up for sale with a £500 price tag. And he added: 'I didn't know there was money in selling second-hand clothes.' A one-time UDA Brigadier - jailed for 16 years for directing loyalist terrorism - Johnny Adair has been living in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, for around 20 years. Adair was released from prison early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. And after a short stint in England, he moved to Ayrshire where his close friend and fellow loyalist, Sam 'Skelly' McCrory had settled after serving 16 years for conspiracy to murder a senior IRA man. Both ardent football fans, the pair followed Glasgow Rangers. And during trips to Ibrox Stadium, Adair was regularly besieged by supporters, well-wishers and autograph hunters. And last year, when Adair attended a football function at Ayr Racecourse, the MC had to appeal for people to take their seats after the for UDA boss was surrounded. 'You can say what you like, but in certain circles, Johnny Adair definitely possesses a celebrity factor.' said one of the organisers.'
Sunday World
04-06-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Pictured: The man Gardaí want to interview over Denis Donaldson murder
Man jailed for plot to kill Johnny Adair and Sam McCrory could hold key to solving 2006 murder This is the man detectives in Donegal want to interview about the murder of Denis Donaldson, the Sunday World can reveal. Antoin Duffy (49) from Mullaghduff, near Kincasslagh, is currently serving a 17-year sentence in Scotland for conspiracy to murder top loyalists Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair and Sam 'Skelly' McCrory. He is a gifted artist whose paintings reach high-end prices on the Irish art market. However, Duffy and a gang of disparate associates had planned to machine-gun the Belfast men near their homes in Ayrshire. The murder plot was rumbled, however, when MI5 learned that Duffy had purchased a deadly AK47 rifle to use in the double murder mission. The powerful rifle was found hidden among Christmas presents in a house in Paisley and Duffy and his mates were charged with conspiracy to murder. The Sunday World has learned that Duffy now qualifies for parole under Scotland's early prison release scheme. Anton Duffy, pictured being interviewed by police in 2013 over a plot to kill Johnny Adair And he could soon be heading back to Donegal, for questioning in relation to the murder of former IRA man and top Sinn Féin aide Denis Donaldson. The development emerged during a Coroners Court sitting in Letterkenny, when a judge asked a senior Garda officer to account for a lengthy delay in bringing the Donaldson case to court. The officer informed the judge that DNA evidence had been recovered from the Donaldson murder scene, which was found to be a match for an unnamed man, currently serving a lengthy sentence in another jurisdiction. And the officer also revealed Garda detectives were in the process of arranging for this individual to be interviewed in Donegal at the earliest opportunity. Last week, the Sunday World learned Antoin Duffy is now eligible to apply for parole due to having served over half of his 17-year sentence. And we have also learned the Scottish Prison Authorities may object to Duffy's early release, due to his involvement in a number of disruptive incidents. Last Saturday, Johnny Adair, who was targeted in Antoin Duffy's murder conspiracy, said he was aware the Donegal man could soon be applying for parole. He said: 'At this stage, no one knows exactly when Duffy will be applying for parole. But when he does, it's going to be very interesting to see what happens next.' Former UDA boss Johnny Adair. 'I knew nothing about this man until the police picked me out of a line at Glasgow Airport coming back from holiday. 'I was complaining that I was a victim of police harassment, but the detective took me to an office where two MI5 officers were waiting for me. 'The MI5 men explained they had arrested Antoin Duffy from Donegal for conspiracy to murder Skelly and I. 'It made sense because Skelly and I regularly visited a Belfast man who was in jail with Duffy. 'We both gave evidence at his trial and I came away with the impression Duffy was a dangerous individual, who was capable of anything,' said Adair. 'From now on, it's going to be very interesting in regard to Denis Donaldson.' Last week, former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams successfully sued the BBC over a Spotlight programme it made which quoted an unnamed source as saying Adams gave the go-ahead for the murder of Denis Donaldson in 2006. Adams denied any involvement in the Donaldson murder and, in a lengthy five-week libel trial which ended on Friday, he robustly defended his position. Agreeing Adams had been defamed, a jury awarded him £84,000. Outside the court in Dublin on Friday, Adams called on the Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to meet with the Donaldson family as soon as possible. Former Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. He said: 'I am very mindful of the Donaldson family in the course of this long trial and indeed the victims' families who have had to watch all of this. 'I want to say that the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan should meet the family of Denis Donaldson as quickly as possible and that there's an onus on both governments and everyone else, and I include myself in this, to try and deal with legacy issues as best that we can.' However, Denis Donaldson's daughter Jane hit out at Adams' legal teams' approach to her evidence. In a statement also issued on Friday, Jane Donaldson, who is married to a senior Sinn Féin figure, said: 'Although the plaintiff claimed sympathy for my family, his legal team objected to me giving evidence to challenge the account of his witnesses. Antoin Duffy 'The jury heard sensitive, privileged family information tossed around, without our consent, but did not hear my testimony. 'Limitless legal resources and vast expense were invested in this case, while there is supposedly a live Garda investigation into my daddy's murder.' And calling for a public inquiry into the matter, she added: 'The public interest can now only be fully served by some form of public inquiry with a cross-border dimension which is ECHIR Article 2 compliant, empowered to investigate the whole truth about the conspiracy to expose and murder my daddy.' Jane Donaldson also revealed how she gave evidence, but without the presence of the jury. Denis Donaldson She said the family did not accept the claim of responsibility issued by the Real IRA, three years after her father was murdered. And she insisted that her father had been 'thrown to the wolves' as part of a conspiracy to expose him as an agent. Denis Donaldson and Gerry Adams were among a small group of men who were invited to join the republican movement in the early 1960, shortly after the failure of the IRA's 'Border Campaign'. They were involved in supporting the campaign for Civil Rights. But a major split occurred in the Republican movement, and they both sided with the Provisionals and remained close allies. Denis Donaldson in prison with Bobby Sands in the 1970s At one stage, Donaldson was even asked to go on an IRA trip to meet rogue Arab State leader Muamar Gaddafi. They persuaded the Libyan leader to arm the IRA as it geared up for a war with the British over Northern Ireland. Following the Good Friday Agreement, Donaldson was appointed Head of Administration for Sinn Féin at Stormont. He was arrested as part of a PSNI inquiry into an alleged Sinn Féin spy ring, but the case was later dropped. Weeks later, however, Donaldson fronted a televised press conference, where he admitted having been a long-term British agent operating inside Sinn Féin. And he disappeared without trace. But in March 2006, a Sunday World investigation traced Donaldson to a remote cottage near Glenties in Co. Donegal. And in a secretly recorded interview, Donaldson claimed he had been cast aside by his British paymasters in order to 'save David Trimble', the Unionist First Minister who had signed the Good Friday Agreement, which paved the way for the power-sharing government at Stormont. From the Short Strand in east Belfast, Donaldson was sworn into the IRA at a secret ceremony in Ormeau Park in 1964. And six years later, he took part in the defence of St Matthew's Catholic Church, holding at bay a mob of loyalists who were intent on burning it to the ground. But a Historic Enquiries Team (HET) investigation into the death if Henry McIlhone decades later revealed he hadn't been killed by loyalist gunmen as believed. He had, in fact, been shot dead by Denis Donaldson, who was unable to control a Thompson sub-machine he was firing. In the same incident, Donaldson shot and wounded IRA leader Billy McKee. Speaking to the Sunday World after the report was published, Henry McIhone's widow Sue said: 'I was told lies about this. I only discover the truth when the HET detectives called to see me. 'Henry wasn't a member of the IRA and I was always told he had been shot bt loyalists. I knew nothing about Denis Donaldson.'
