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22/02/2003
UDA moves to cease paramilitary action
Loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association, has issued a statement outlining its commitment to cease paramilitary activity for the next twelve months.
News of the ceasefire came on Saturday, as the UDA released the statement through the Ulster Political Research Group.
However, the outlawed organisation stressed that their renewed commitment to a ceasefire did not represent a decision by the UDA to decommission – that move, the group stated, would only occur once the republican movement had set out their terms to do so.
The UDA's statement has received a mixed reaction from local politicians. Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has welcomed the move, especially as it represented "a commitment to re-engage with the Decommissioning Body, to work to defuse tension at the interfaces and the recognition of the damage that drug abuse does to the community."
However, Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly sounded a note of caution, saying that any "genuine cessation" of the UDA's paramilitary activity would be welcome, but that the statement would inevitably be received with scepticism by some.
He said: "We have to be factual – the UDA have killed people. They have never said their cessation was ended, which means that while they were saying they were on cessation, they were killing people."
The UDA's statement follows the group's decision to leave 18 pipe bombs at playing fields in the Crumlin Road area on Wednesday 19 February. An official release from the UDA indicated that the devices were left there to be disposed of by the security forces, as a demonstration of UDA's commitment to "stabilise and normalise" loyalist west Belfast.
(CL)
News of the ceasefire came on Saturday, as the UDA released the statement through the Ulster Political Research Group.
However, the outlawed organisation stressed that their renewed commitment to a ceasefire did not represent a decision by the UDA to decommission – that move, the group stated, would only occur once the republican movement had set out their terms to do so.
The UDA's statement has received a mixed reaction from local politicians. Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has welcomed the move, especially as it represented "a commitment to re-engage with the Decommissioning Body, to work to defuse tension at the interfaces and the recognition of the damage that drug abuse does to the community."
However, Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly sounded a note of caution, saying that any "genuine cessation" of the UDA's paramilitary activity would be welcome, but that the statement would inevitably be received with scepticism by some.
He said: "We have to be factual – the UDA have killed people. They have never said their cessation was ended, which means that while they were saying they were on cessation, they were killing people."
The UDA's statement follows the group's decision to leave 18 pipe bombs at playing fields in the Crumlin Road area on Wednesday 19 February. An official release from the UDA indicated that the devices were left there to be disposed of by the security forces, as a demonstration of UDA's commitment to "stabilise and normalise" loyalist west Belfast.
(CL)
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UDA declare intent to maintain 'ceasfire'
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UDA declare intent to maintain 'ceasfire'
The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) has announced that its 12-month period of military inactivity will continue "indefinitely". At a press conference on Tuesday the UDA's political wing, the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) said the paramilitary organisation wanted a role for loyalists in current negotiations.
09 August 2016
Former UDA Brigadier Was Aware He Was Under Threat - PSNI
Former UDA brigadier John Boreland was aware he was under threat after he was fatally shot in north Belfast on Sunday, 07 August, according to the police. The shooting attack happened in the Sunningdale Gardens area in Ballysillan at approximately 9.50pm. He died at the scene.
Former UDA Brigadier Was Aware He Was Under Threat - PSNI
Former UDA brigadier John Boreland was aware he was under threat after he was fatally shot in north Belfast on Sunday, 07 August, according to the police. The shooting attack happened in the Sunningdale Gardens area in Ballysillan at approximately 9.50pm. He died at the scene.
08 April 2008
UDA 'Isn't Going Away'
While the IRA "haven't gone away, you know" - as infamously declared by the Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams - a Belfast court case this week appears to point towards the loyalist paramilitary group, the UDA doing - or "not doing" the same thing.
UDA 'Isn't Going Away'
While the IRA "haven't gone away, you know" - as infamously declared by the Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams - a Belfast court case this week appears to point towards the loyalist paramilitary group, the UDA doing - or "not doing" the same thing.
11 October 2005
Funeral takes place of former UDA chief
The funeral of former UDA chief Jim Gray has taken place in Belfast on Tuesday. Gray, 47, the former UDA 'brigadier' in east Belfast, was shot dead outside his father's home last week. Tuesday's service took place at his father's home with members of the UDA told to stay away from the house.
Funeral takes place of former UDA chief
The funeral of former UDA chief Jim Gray has taken place in Belfast on Tuesday. Gray, 47, the former UDA 'brigadier' in east Belfast, was shot dead outside his father's home last week. Tuesday's service took place at his father's home with members of the UDA told to stay away from the house.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
