Menu
06/02/2003
Funeral held for murdered UDA chief
The funeral of murdered UDA chief John Gregg has taken place in north Belfast today.
Gregg, 45, was killed last Saturday night when returning from a football match in Scotland. The UDA's south-east Antrim commander was killed along with UDA member Robert Carson when the taxi they were travelling in was intercepted by loyalist gunmen in Nelson Street, Belfast, shortly after disembarking from the ferry.
Gregg died instantly and Carson passed away in hospital a short time later. The taxi driver remains in hospital in a serious condition. Gregg's 18-year-old son and another passenger escaped without injury.
The double murder was the bloodiest episode in the loyalist feud which has now claimed a total of four lives. The Red Hand Defenders – a cover name for Johnny Adair's Shankill Road C Company – claimed the murder.
It is expected that the funeral, at his Rathcoole home, will be attended by thousands of people and members of the mainstream UDA.
Gregg gained prominence after his attempted assassination of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in 1984. He was sentenced to 18 years for the failed murder bid, in which he also shot himself, and later said that his only regret was not killing Adams.
Gregg's home Rathcoole had been targeted by pipe bombers since the internal feud in the UDA began after C Company commander Johnny Adair was expelled from the organisation last September. Gregg was a member of the UDA ruling council which ostracised Adair.
It was Gregg's unit that was responsible for some of the most brutal sectarian murders in recent years. Eighteen-year-old Catholic father of one, Daniel McColgan, was murdered by the group as he went to work in Rathcoole last January. Protestant schoolboy Gavin Brett was then gunned down in north Belfast as he stood talking with Catholic friends last July.
Gregg leaves behind a wife and four children.
(GMcG)
Gregg, 45, was killed last Saturday night when returning from a football match in Scotland. The UDA's south-east Antrim commander was killed along with UDA member Robert Carson when the taxi they were travelling in was intercepted by loyalist gunmen in Nelson Street, Belfast, shortly after disembarking from the ferry.
Gregg died instantly and Carson passed away in hospital a short time later. The taxi driver remains in hospital in a serious condition. Gregg's 18-year-old son and another passenger escaped without injury.
The double murder was the bloodiest episode in the loyalist feud which has now claimed a total of four lives. The Red Hand Defenders – a cover name for Johnny Adair's Shankill Road C Company – claimed the murder.
It is expected that the funeral, at his Rathcoole home, will be attended by thousands of people and members of the mainstream UDA.
Gregg gained prominence after his attempted assassination of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in 1984. He was sentenced to 18 years for the failed murder bid, in which he also shot himself, and later said that his only regret was not killing Adams.
Gregg's home Rathcoole had been targeted by pipe bombers since the internal feud in the UDA began after C Company commander Johnny Adair was expelled from the organisation last September. Gregg was a member of the UDA ruling council which ostracised Adair.
It was Gregg's unit that was responsible for some of the most brutal sectarian murders in recent years. Eighteen-year-old Catholic father of one, Daniel McColgan, was murdered by the group as he went to work in Rathcoole last January. Protestant schoolboy Gavin Brett was then gunned down in north Belfast as he stood talking with Catholic friends last July.
Gregg leaves behind a wife and four children.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 July 2024
Chance For People To Vote On The Issues That Matter – Alliance
The election is a chance for people to vote on the issues that matter and back those leading change in local politics, Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said. Speaking as people across Northern Ireland go to the poles, the East Belfast candidate, said: "I am appealing to voters of every party and every persuasion to vote Alliance.
Chance For People To Vote On The Issues That Matter – Alliance
The election is a chance for people to vote on the issues that matter and back those leading change in local politics, Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said. Speaking as people across Northern Ireland go to the poles, the East Belfast candidate, said: "I am appealing to voters of every party and every persuasion to vote Alliance.
09 July 2024
BCC Commits To Enabling North Street Development
Belfast City Council (BCC) is committed to enabling development along North Street in the city centre, the site of controversial and long delayed Tribeca development. It was one of a number of updates from BCC as it highlighted its continuing work to ensure a 'clean, green, safe, vibrant, connected and welcoming' city centre.
BCC Commits To Enabling North Street Development
Belfast City Council (BCC) is committed to enabling development along North Street in the city centre, the site of controversial and long delayed Tribeca development. It was one of a number of updates from BCC as it highlighted its continuing work to ensure a 'clean, green, safe, vibrant, connected and welcoming' city centre.
20 May 2024
North Belfast Searches Connected To UDA Criminality
The Paramilitary Crime Task Force have conducted a search operation on north Belfast as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA. A quantity of cash was seized along with a number of mobile phones, which were removed for forensic examination.
North Belfast Searches Connected To UDA Criminality
The Paramilitary Crime Task Force have conducted a search operation on north Belfast as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA. A quantity of cash was seized along with a number of mobile phones, which were removed for forensic examination.
10 May 2024
Young People Urged To Attend JobStart Event
Young people aged 16-24 have been urged to explore new career opportunities with over 30 employers at the upcoming JobStart event at 2 Royal Avenue.
Young People Urged To Attend JobStart Event
Young people aged 16-24 have been urged to explore new career opportunities with over 30 employers at the upcoming JobStart event at 2 Royal Avenue.
08 May 2024
Traditional Skills 'Brought Back To Life' Across Belfast
Traditional skills including boat building, gardening and sewing, have been "brought back to life" through the Belfast 2024 programme. Belfast City Council's celebration of culture and creativity is well underway across the city, with projects, events and workshops encouraging people to get creative and try their hand at something new this year.
Traditional Skills 'Brought Back To Life' Across Belfast
Traditional skills including boat building, gardening and sewing, have been "brought back to life" through the Belfast 2024 programme. Belfast City Council's celebration of culture and creativity is well underway across the city, with projects, events and workshops encouraging people to get creative and try their hand at something new this year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Early mist and fog clearing to leave a dry and mainly sunny day, although patchy cloud possible through County Down. Warmest in the west with light east or northeast winds. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Dry and bright at first but some areas of low cloud developing through the evening and overnight, particularly over southern counties and the north Antrim hills. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
