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05/07/2006
Leading loyalist refused bail
North Belfast loyalist, Ihab Shoukri, has been refused bail at Belfast High Court, after a judge said that he had received adequate evidence to prove that he was a leading member of the Ulster Defence Association.
Ihab Shoukri, 32, was arrested last week in connection with a police investigation into serious crime.
He was remanded in custody in relation to a PSNI raid on the Alexandra Bar, in York Street in the loyalist Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast in March, in which 17 people were arrested.
It was understood that during the raid, members of the UDA were rehearsing a show of strength.
At the hearing, Lord Justice Nicholson said the UDA was notorious for criminal activity of all sorts and he was concerned that if Shoukri was granted bail he would be a danger to the community and there would be public disorder.
The refusal for bail comes just two week after both Ihab and his brother Andre were expelled from the UDA, following instructions from the organisation's Inner Council calling for the brothers to be dismissed as part of an attempt to clean up the organisations image.
However, the north Belfast brigade refused the request, stating that they wanted the leadership to remain unchanged.
Despite this, along with the announcement that the north Belfast brigade no longer recognises the UDA's Inner Council, the UDA have said that an internal feud is not likely.
(EF/SP)
Ihab Shoukri, 32, was arrested last week in connection with a police investigation into serious crime.
He was remanded in custody in relation to a PSNI raid on the Alexandra Bar, in York Street in the loyalist Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast in March, in which 17 people were arrested.
It was understood that during the raid, members of the UDA were rehearsing a show of strength.
At the hearing, Lord Justice Nicholson said the UDA was notorious for criminal activity of all sorts and he was concerned that if Shoukri was granted bail he would be a danger to the community and there would be public disorder.
The refusal for bail comes just two week after both Ihab and his brother Andre were expelled from the UDA, following instructions from the organisation's Inner Council calling for the brothers to be dismissed as part of an attempt to clean up the organisations image.
However, the north Belfast brigade refused the request, stating that they wanted the leadership to remain unchanged.
Despite this, along with the announcement that the north Belfast brigade no longer recognises the UDA's Inner Council, the UDA have said that an internal feud is not likely.
(EF/SP)
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14 April 2005
Former east Belfast UDA leader has bank accounts frozen
Former east Belfast UDA leader Jim Gray has had his bank accounts frozen, Banbridge Magistrates Court heard today. The 47-year-old, who was charged at the weekend with possessing and concealing criminal property but who denies the charges, appeared by video link from Maghaberry Prison and spoke only to confirm his name.
Former east Belfast UDA leader has bank accounts frozen
Former east Belfast UDA leader Jim Gray has had his bank accounts frozen, Banbridge Magistrates Court heard today. The 47-year-old, who was charged at the weekend with possessing and concealing criminal property but who denies the charges, appeared by video link from Maghaberry Prison and spoke only to confirm his name.
15 January 2003
UDA leader freed on bail
A leading loyalist has been freed on bail at the High Court in Belfast today. Andre Shoukri, 25, from Sunningdale Gardens in north Belfast, was granted bail of £6,000 and released on the stipulation that he not associate with members of illegal organisations, and observes a curfew and stays clear of north Belfast.
UDA leader freed on bail
A leading loyalist has been freed on bail at the High Court in Belfast today. Andre Shoukri, 25, from Sunningdale Gardens in north Belfast, was granted bail of £6,000 and released on the stipulation that he not associate with members of illegal organisations, and observes a curfew and stays clear of north Belfast.
07 March 2006
Court told UDA planning end to criminality
A court in Belfast has heard that a meeting at a Belfast bar raided by police last week was called to bring an end to UDA criminality. The claim came in evidence given as a Judge considered evidence in relation to police application to have prominent loyalist Ihab Shoukri's bail revoked.
Court told UDA planning end to criminality
A court in Belfast has heard that a meeting at a Belfast bar raided by police last week was called to bring an end to UDA criminality. The claim came in evidence given as a Judge considered evidence in relation to police application to have prominent loyalist Ihab Shoukri's bail revoked.
29 June 2006
North Belfast loyalist remanded in custody
A leading north Belfast loyalist has been remanded in custody over charges connection with serious crime. Ihab Shoukri, 32, was charged with membership of the UDA/UFF between January and March 2006, and with a second charge of claiming to be a member of the organisation.
North Belfast loyalist remanded in custody
A leading north Belfast loyalist has been remanded in custody over charges connection with serious crime. Ihab Shoukri, 32, was charged with membership of the UDA/UFF between January and March 2006, and with a second charge of claiming to be a member of the organisation.
21 June 2006
Shoukri's expulsion rejected by UDA brigade
The UDA in north Belfast has rejected the instruction to expel the Shoukri brothers from the organisation. The 'North Belfast Brigade' of the UDA today said that it rejected the decision of the UDA`s inner council to expel Ihab and Andre Shoukri, and a third man. The Brigade said that they had "consulted widely with its membership.
Shoukri's expulsion rejected by UDA brigade
The UDA in north Belfast has rejected the instruction to expel the Shoukri brothers from the organisation. The 'North Belfast Brigade' of the UDA today said that it rejected the decision of the UDA`s inner council to expel Ihab and Andre Shoukri, and a third man. The Brigade said that they had "consulted widely with its membership.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
