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Irish Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
Face to face with the Ulster warlord
I FIRST met Andy Tyrie, the leader of an armed loyalist group, who died last week, in 1986. A BBC religious affairs programme, Sunday Sequence on Radio Ulster, had started hiring me as a freelance reporter and interviewing Tyrie was one of my first jobs. He was of interest to a religious affairs programme because the producers thought he might have thoughts on how much loyalist violence against Catholics was religiously motivated. I had to travel to a part of Belfast I did not normally feel safe in, where the population was almost entirely Protestant and unionist. Esther who managed reception, pressed the buzzer to let me through the security gate and directed me up the stairs to Short Kesh. This was the joke name for Tyrie's office, a pun on Long Kesh, the site of the Maze prison which housed loyalist and republican convicts. I found Tyrie affable and witty. He was a stout and tawny man with dark hair and a thick moustache. I assumed that the loyalist sectarian marauders he governed had at least the good sense not to shoot a journalist, one who might air their case, if they had one. We spent a couple of hours talking and then I recorded the interview. We covered a lot of ground. His basic theory was that sectarian tension in Northern Ireland was about territory. Most working class Protestants lived in housing developments that were almost exclusively Protestant but the Catholic population was increasing and needed housing too. The Ulster Defence Association which he led was ostensibly about defending Northern Ireland, or Ulster as they called it, against the IRA. In reality it was more concerned to scare away Catholics who had moved into houses in what loyalists regarded as Protestant areas. We talked also about new ideas being developed at that time about loyalist culture. Tyrie said that loyalists had been surprised to see that republicans in the prisons were able to communicate using the Irish language. They realised that a coherent Irish culture reinforced the argument for Irish unity and the preservation of a singular Irish identity. To match that, loyalists had to explore their own identity. They were now taking an interest in Ulster Scots, a rural dialect that their forebears had brought from Scotland. Before I left Tyrie, one of his close colleagues came into the room. He remarked that I bore a strong resemblance to Jim Campbell, a former news editor of mine who had been shot and wounded by men of the UDA that Tyrie led, perhaps with Tyrie's approval. The new arrival said, 'Sometimes we drive past Campbell's house and wave to him just to scare the shite out of him.' This was closer to the raw humour of vicious people than the amicable chat I had been having with Tyrie. This man took from his pocket a large brass folding knife, opened it and held the blade up to my face. 'If we just cut off a bit of the beard here and another bit here, you'd look just like Jim Campbell,' he said. I edited the interview and it was broadcast at length. On the day after broadcast the production assistant called me and asked for Tyrie's address. The BBC, which paid interviewees back then, sent him a cheque for £83. A few weeks later, Terry Sharkie, my producer and I went to Moneymore to report on an Orange Ceili, one of those presentations of loyalist culture that Tyrie had spoken of. This was held in the ballroom of a hotel. Tyrie was there. I went over to talk to him and realised that the men around him were not happy with my presumption of familiarity. I said something light-hearted to Tyrie to evoke a similarly friendly response that would reassure these goons that I was no threat. Tyrie said nothing so I walked away. There was further embarrassment that night when I was called out to draw the raffle ticket for a clock made by a loyalist prisoner. This clock was built onto a brass map of Northern Ireland on a wooden plaque. I drew the ticket and to enormous embarrassment my producer Terry Sharkie had the winning ticket. There was stamping of feet and shouts of 'Fenian Fix! The Taigs have got the clock'. But Tyrie's people assured us we had won the clock fair and square and even invited us to stay on. I danced with one of the loyalist women in a cumbersome country waltz. 'We're not sectarian here,' she said. That clock sat on a filing cabinet in the BBC's religious affairs office for about three years and was then blown onto the floor by an IRA bomb in the street below us. In the year before my interview with Tyrie his organisation had shot and killed one Catholic. He was later usurped by more murderous younger members who raised that tally considerably after trying also, and failing, to kill Tyrie himself. Perhaps I had seen a hint of that emerging tension myself, between the cheery bloke that he was when we were alone together and the sterner figure he became when hard men were around. See More: Andy Tyrie, IRA, Ulster
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Mourners at funeral of former UDA leader told he made ‘journey' towards reconciliation as service takes place in Dundonald
The funeral of former loyalist paramilitary leader Andy Tyrie has taken place in Dundonald with those gathered told that he embarked on a journey towards reconciliation following the Troubles. Family and friends of Tyrie gathered at Dundonald Presbyterian Church for the service which took place earlier following his death at the weekend aged 85. Tyrie was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. Images from the service earlier showed family walking behind the hearse carrying Tyrie's coffin. At the funeral service, Rev William McCully, Minister of Religion at Dundonald Presbyterian Church, said Tyrie was a 'family man and family meant everything to him'. He spoke of Tyrie donating his kidney to wife, Agnes, and being 'generous in making a sacrifice'. Rev McCully added: 'But we would be fooling ourselves this morning if our understanding of Andy Tyrie was only just a loving family man. He was a man who was sacrificial.' The Presbyterian Minister at the Church on the Green said Tyrie's life and history is very public and well documented and one of the things Rev McCully recently learned was a saying of Tyrie's: 'Always forgive and don't be bitter'. Rev McCully said: 'The topic of forgiveness isn't something much talked about – and sometimes its grossly misunderstood. 'But when it comes to our province, to our community, and to our family, and to us as individuals – it's something that is so desperately needed – but there really is a lot to be forgiven.' He told those gathered that 'people struggle with forgiveness' and the rawness of the past still endures for people 'on both sides of the divide'. Rev McCully posed the question to those gathered: 'If forgiveness isn't found and considered – does that then mean that the cycle of bitterness continues?' Tyrie, he said, found the path to reconciliation when 'he came to faith sometime around 2002/03'. Rev McCully continued: 'It was obviously a journey – but the journey became clear with the Rev Bobby Allen, who Andy arranged to meet in the park here in Dundonald and where they talked things out. 'It was there that Andy gave his life to Jesus, and the direction of his life changed – all through the Grace of God ''Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found… was blind but now I see'. 'The past behind him – he became a new creation in the Lord Jesus. And when I came to Dundonald – this was the Andy I came to know. And of course he knew he needed forgiveness – but so do we all need the Gospel of Jesus's offer of forgiveness and we also need to take it too.' A funeral notice for Tyrie added that he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.'
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Funeral of former UDA leader takes place in Dundonald
Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 22/05/2025 Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. The funeral of former loyalist paramilitary leader Andy Tyrie has taken place in Dundonald this afternoon. Family and friends of Tyrie gathered at Dundonald Presbyterian Church for the service which took place earlier following his death at the weekend aged 85. Tyrie was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 22/05/2025 His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. Andy Tyrie Images from the service earlier showed family walking behind the hearse carrying Tyrie's coffin. A funeral notice for Tyrie added that he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.'
Sunday World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Funeral details announced for former loyalist terror leader Andy Tyrie
Andy Tyrie was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA The funeral of a former loyalist paramilitary leader will take place in Dundonald tomorrow morning following his death at the weekend. Andy Tyrie, who was 85, was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. A funeral notice confirmed his funeral will take place in Dundonald Presbyterian Church at 11am tomorrow. The notice added he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.' Following the announcement of his death at the weekend, tributes were paid to Tyrie. Andy Tyrie Peter Osborne, who chaired the Community Relations Council, posted on X: 'In the years that I knew him Andy Tyrie was an advocate for tolerance, reconciliation, and on those issues that particularly affect working class communities. Sorry to see this. Condolences to his family.' His name had featured on a loyalist museum in east Belfast. The Loyalist Conflict Museum opened its doors in 2012, and was originally called The Andy Tyrie Interpretive Centre. Tyrie's first involvement in loyalist paramilitary activity came with the UVF in the late 1960s, before he switched to the UDA. Soon Tyrie became a UDA officer in the Shankill Road area, and was appointed leader in 1973 after the murder of Tommy Herron. Although not convicted of any paramilitary activity, under his leadership the UDA was widely involved in terrorism. According to the Sutton database of deaths at Ulster University's Cain project, the UDA/UFF was responsible for 260 killings during the Troubles. Most (208) of its victims were civilians, predominantly Catholics. However, Tyrie encouraged the organisation to embrace politics through the establishment of the New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG). He was involved in organising the Ulster Workers' Council strike, which brought down the old power-sharing government. In March 1988, Tyrie narrowly avoided death from a car bomb. No-one admitted responsibility for the failed attack, but Tyrie believed it was carried out by potential successors within the UDA. He quit as leader days later and went on to sever all links with the organisation. Tyrie backed the Ulster Democratic Party's campaign in favour of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Funeral details announced for former UDA leader Andy Tyrie
The funeral of a former loyalist paramilitary leader will take place in Dundonald tomorrow morning following his death at the weekend. Andy Tyrie, who was 85, was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. A funeral notice confirmed his funeral will take place in Dundonald Presbyterian Church at 11am tomorrow. The notice added he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.' Following the announcement of his death at the weekend, tributes were paid to Tyrie. Peter Osborne, who chaired the Community Relations Council, posted on X: 'In the years that I knew him Andy Tyrie was an advocate for tolerance, reconciliation, and on those issues that particularly affect working class communities. Sorry to see this. Condolences to his family.' His name had featured on a loyalist museum in east Belfast. The Loyalist Conflict Museum opened its doors in 2012, and was originally called The Andy Tyrie Interpretive Centre. Tyrie's first involvement in loyalist paramilitary activity came with the UVF in the late 1960s, before he switched to the UDA. Soon Tyrie became a UDA officer in the Shankill Road area, and was appointed leader in 1973 after the murder of Tommy Herron. Although not convicted of any paramilitary activity, under his leadership the UDA was widely involved in terrorism. According to the Sutton database of deaths at Ulster University's Cain project, the UDA/UFF was responsible for 260 killings during the Troubles. Most (208) of its victims were civilians, predominantly Catholics. News Catch Up - Wednesday 21 May However, Tyrie encouraged the organisation to embrace politics through the establishment of the New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG). He was involved in organising the Ulster Workers' Council strike, which brought down the old power-sharing government. In March 1988, Tyrie narrowly avoided death from a car bomb. No-one admitted responsibility for the failed attack, but Tyrie believed it was carried out by potential successors within the UDA. He quit as leader days later and went on to sever all links with the organisation. Tyrie backed the Ulster Democratic Party's campaign in favour of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
