UDA admits shooting leading Loyalist

The UDA has admitted that it carried out the shooting of a leading loyalist in north Belfast last night.

Davy Mahood, a former member of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), was shot in both legs by masked gunman near the Benview community centre in Ballysillan yesterday evening.

He was taken to hospital and is said to be a stable condition.

It has been reported today that the UDA issued a statement saying that, but for a last-minute intervention, Mr Mahood would have been murdered.

Mr Mahood, 53, survived a previous assassination attempt whilst on his way to work in north Belfast on September 12.

On that occasion, the gunman struck near Cliftondene and fired one shot at Mr Mahood's car. The bullet missed the car and there were no injuries.

This latest development is further evidence that the ruptures within the UDA have become more pronounced of late. On September 25, the UDA's ruling council expelled the commander of the Shankill 'C' Company – Johnny Adair. Mr Adair's close associate, and UPRG member, John White was also expelled a short time afterwards.

Earlier this week, senior figures within loyalism such as the PUP's David Ervine and the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher were in Pretoria, South Africa, to meet with the representatives of mainstream unionism to further a "unified" political vision. Those talks were described by UUP assembly member Danny Kennedy as "constructive and helpful for Unionism".

The UPRG was set up following the demise of the UDA's political wing – the Ulster Democratic Party – in order to give political analysis to the paramilitary organisation.

Last year, the Secretary of State ruled that the UDA had breached its ceasefire and since the beginning of this year it has been linked to a number sectarian killings in north Belfast. Today reports, combined with the UDA's bitter dispute with the LVF, suggest that grassroots loyalism is increasingly at odds with its political leadership.

(GMcG)