Editing Loyalist feud (section)

==UDA internal feuds==
The UDA, the largest of the loyalist paramilitary groups, has seen a number of internal struggles within its history.

===1972–1974===
From its beginnings the UDA was wracked by internal problems and in 1972, the movement's first full year of existence, three members, Ingram Beckett, John Brown and Ernest Elliott were killed by other UDA members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1972.html|title=CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths|first=Malcolm|last=Sutton|website=www.cain.ulst.ac.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514143657/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1972.html|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref> The main problems were between East Belfast chief [[Tommy Herron]] and [[Charles Harding Smith]], his rival in the west of the city, over who controlled the movement. Although they had agreed to make compromise candidate [[Andy Tyrie]] the leader, each man considered himself the true leader. Herron was killed in September 1973 in an attack that remains unsolved.<ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch73.htm A Chronology of the Conflict - 1973] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004014811/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch73.htm |date=2017-10-04 }}, CAIN Web Service</ref>

However, with Tyrie confirmed in overall control of the UDA, Harding Smith initially remained silent until, in 1974, he declared that the West Belfast brigade of the movement was splitting from the mainstream UDA on the pretext of a visit to [[Libya]] organised by Tyrie in a failed attempt to procure arms from [[Muammar Gaddafi|Colonel Qadaffi]]. The trip had been roundly criticised by the Unionist establishment and raised cries that the UDA was adopting [[socialism]], and so Harding Smith used it re-ignite his attempts to take charge.<ref>McDonald & Cusack, ''UDA'', pp. 85-86</ref> Harding Smith survived two separate shootings but crucially lost the support of other leading [[Shankill Road]] UDA figures and eventually left Belfast after being visited by North Belfast Brigadier [[Davy Payne]], who warned him that he would not survive a third attack.<ref>McDonald & Cusack, ''UDA'', pp. 86-87</ref>

===1987–1989===
South Belfast Brigadier [[John McMichael]] was killed by the [[Provisional IRA]] in December 1987 but it was later admitted that UDA member [[James Craig (loyalist)|James Pratt Craig]], a rival of McMichael's within the movement, had played a role in planning the murder.<ref>Taylor, Peter (1999). ''Loyalists''. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. pp.170-71, 199</ref><ref>[http://www.tribune.ie/news/article/2008/nov/23/building-bridges-with-the-uda "Building bridges with the UDA". Article from ''Irish Tribune'' 23 November 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721133809/http://www.tribune.ie/news/article/2008/nov/23/building-bridges-with-the-uda/ |date=21 July 2011 }} Retrieved 6 March 2011</ref> A new generation of leaders emerged at this time and decided that the woes facing the UDA, including a lack of arms and perceived poor leadership by ageing brigadiers, were being caused by the continuing leadership of Andy Tyrie.<ref>McDonald & Cusack, ''UDA'', pp. 157-158</ref>

Tyrie was forced to resign in March 1988 and the new men, most of whom had been trained up by McMichael, turned on some of the veterans whom Tyrie had protected. Craig was killed, [[Tommy Lyttle]] was declared persona non grata and various brigadiers were removed from office, with the likes of [[Jackie McDonald]], [[Joe English (loyalist)|Joe English]] and Jim Gray taking their places.<ref>McDonald & Cusack, ''UDA'', pp. 159-160</ref>

===2002–2003===
A second internal feud arose in 2002 when [[Johnny Adair]] and former politician [[John White (loyalist)|John White]] were expelled from the UDA. Many members of the 2nd Battalion Shankill Road West Belfast Brigade, commonly known as 'C' Company, stood by Adair and White, while the rest of the organisation were involved with attacks on these groups and vice versa. There were four murders; the first victim being a nephew of a leading loyalist opposed to Adair, Jonathon Stewart, killed at a party on 26 December 2002. Roy Green was killed in retaliation. The last victims were [[John Gregg (UDA)|John 'Grug' Gregg]] (noted for a failed attempt on the life of [[Gerry Adams]]) and Robert Carson, another Loyalist. Adair's time as leader came to an end on 6 February 2003 when south Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald led a force of around 100 men onto the Shankill to oust Adair, who promptly fled to [[England]]. Adair's former ally [[Mo Courtney]], who had returned to the mainstream UDA immediately before the attack, was appointed the new West Belfast brigadier, ending the feud.<ref>McDonald & Cusack, ''UDA'', pp. 383-386</ref>

Shortly after the removal of [[Jimbo Simpson]] in 2003 a number of incidents where several houses and a business were attacked in the Ballysillan and Glenbryn areas. It is understood a mob of up to 40 of Simpson's supporters attempted to oust the current leadership. Jim 'Jimbo' Simpson - dubbed the 'Bacardi Brigadier' when he was the organisation's north Belfast leader - was believed to have fled Northern Ireland with several supporters shortly after the failed coup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/bacardi-brigadier-on-the-run-28153059.html|title='Bacardi Brigadier' on the run|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref>

===2006: Shoukris Expulsion from UDA===
The other five brigadiers in the UDA leadership decided to expel [[Shoukri brothers|Andre Shoukri, his brother Ihab]], and another associate in June 2006. Bloodshed was averted after a leading member of a breakaway faction left NI and others faced arrest <ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5241714.stm|title=BBC NEWS - UK - Northern Ireland - Faction 'back in UDA mainstream'|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=3 August 2006 }}</ref>

===2013–date: North Belfast Brigade feud===
In 2013 it was reported in the ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]'' that the [[UDA West Belfast Brigade]] had become so associated with criminality and racketeering that the three other Belfast-based brigadiers, [[Jackie McDonald]] (South Belfast), [[Jimmy Birch]] (East Belfast) and [[John Bunting (loyalist)|John Bunting]] (North Belfast), no longer felt able to deal with the western leadership. Tensions had been further stoked by a graffiti campaign against Bunting's leadership on the [[Shore Road, Belfast|York Road]], in which expelled members of the North Belfast Brigade, who had come under the wing of their counterparts in the west, called for Bunting's removal as brigadier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uda-finished-says-loyalist-paramilitary-terror-group-leader-29791310.html|title=UDA finished, says loyalist paramilitary terror group leader|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The feud was confirmed in December 2013 when a UDA statement was released acknowledging the existence of a dissident tendency within the North Belfast Brigade but confirming support for Bunting's leadership. However, whilst the statement was signed by McDonald and Birch, no representative of the West Belfast Brigade had added their signature.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/as-uda-confirms-major-split-a-dangerous-tussle-for-power-is-now-brewing-29811472.html|title=As UDA confirms major split, a dangerous tussle for power is now brewing|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The north Belfast rebels subsequently named Robert Molyneaux, a convicted killer and former friend of Bunting's closest ally John Howcroft, as their preferred choice for Brigadier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uda-feud-escalates-over-bid-to-oust-north-belfast-brigadier-john-bunting-29821218.html|title=UDA feud escalates over bid to oust north Belfast 'brigadier' John Bunting|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Bunting's opponents criticised his alleged heavy-handed approach, particularly towards Tiger's Bay residents, whilst his supporters claimed that Bunting's attempts to tackle the drugs trade in the area were the real reason behind the attempts to remove him.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= THE BRUTE BRIGADIER ; UDA POWER STRUGGLE RIVAL FACTIONS AT WAR Double Killer Is the Man Dissidents Want to Install as New UDA Chief in North Belfast |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 8 December 2013 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35451743.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229174649/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35451743.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref>

As the feud rumbled on Bunting became a target for a number of attacks. In May 2014 Bunting was attacked in Tiger's Bay by a group of opponents. During the brawl Bunting was knocked unconscious and had his mobile phone stolen. Bunting had been visiting the home of one of his internal critics at the time of the incident.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Devlin |title= GRANNY CLAIMS UDA BOSS ATTACKED HER ; TERROR BOSS IN BRAWL NEW ALLEGATIONS Pensioner Says Bunting Threw Her to the Ground |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 25 May 2014 |first= Patricia |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36087014.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229182626/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36087014.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref> In August 2014 as Bunting drove along Duncairn Gardens, a street separating Tiger's Bay from the [[Irish republicanism|republican]] [[New Lodge, Belfast|New Lodge]] area his car was damaged by a pipe bomb thrown at it.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA FURY OVER BUNTING ATTACK ; HIT TENSION AMONG SPLINTER GROUPS Chiefs Threat of Retaliation on Rival Tigers Bay Faction |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 10 August 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37056305.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229193324/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37056305.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref> Tiger's Bay had emerged as the stronghold of the anti-Bunting faction.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= FEUD SPLITS THE UDA IN SHANKILL; ROW HEATS UP GROUP IN TURMOIL; Row Intensifies Following UDA Shooting at Home of Alleged Dissident Supporter |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 17 August 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-378793077.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160223093936/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-378793077.html |archive-date= 23 February 2016 }}</ref>

Soon after the latter attack former North Belfast brigadier [[William Borland (loyalist)|William Borland]], who had become associated with the pro-Molyneaux wing, was attacked with a breeze block and shot in the leg close to his home in [[Ballysillan|Carr's Glen]]. Following the attack both Bunting and Howcroft were arrested on suspicion of involvement.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Fitzmaurice |title= Bunting and Pal Held in UDA Feud Shooting |newspaper= [[Daily Mirror]]  |access-date=  |date= 22 August 2014 |first= Maurice |url= https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-379541934 | url-access=| via=}}{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> Along with another associate they were charged with attempting to murder Borland and [[Andre Shoukri]] and were remanded in custody.<ref name="exuda">{{Cite news |last= Murray |title= SHOUKRI SEEKS SINN FEIN MEET; EXCLUSIVE RIVAL FACTIONS AT WAR Ex-UDA Chief wants Probe into Murder Bid |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 31 August 2014 |first= Alan |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381309805.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160410062229/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381309805.html |archive-date= 10 April 2016 }}</ref> As is standard within the UDA whilst in custody Bunting had to relinquish his role as brigadier although his replacement, a close friend of McDonald's from [[Taughmonagh]] in south Belfast identified only as the "Burger King Brigadier" due to his weight, has been reported as merely a figurehead with no actual power.<ref name="exuda"/> Subsequent reports indicated this brigadier had lasted only two weeks before McDonald replaced him with an unidentified former member of the [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]].<ref name="Big Mac">{{Cite news |last= Murray |title= Big Mac Sacks Burger King Brigadier |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]]|access-date= 3 August 2017 |date= 7 September 2014 |first= Alan |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381700088.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381700088.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref>

In September 2014 it was reported in the ''Belfast Telegraph'' that the leaders of the UDA in North, East and South Belfast, as well as the head of the Londonderry and North Antrim Brigade had met to discuss the feud as well as the schism with the West Belfast Brigade. According to the report they agreed that West Belfast Brigade members loyal to the wider UDA should establish a new command structure for the brigade which would then take the lead in ousting [[Mo Courtney]], [[Jim Spence (loyalist)|Jim Spence]] and Eric McKee from their existing leadership positions. It was also stated that the West Belfast breakaway leaders had recruited [[Jimbo Simpson]], a former North Belfast brigadier driven out of Northern Ireland over a decade earlier, and were seeking to restore him to his former role.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA Call an 'AGM' to End Faction Feuds |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 18 September 2014 |date= 14 September 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37172833.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328145504/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37172833.html |archive-date= 28 March 2015 }}</ref> This followed the rejection of earlier overtures to West Belfast brigadier [[Matt Kincaid]] as he opted to back Spence and Courtney.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA Chiefs' Unity Talks Are a Flop |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 2 February 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35649096.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328145502/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35649096.html |archive-date= 28 March 2015 }}</ref>

The charges against Bunting were dropped in 2015 after a number of witnesses withdrew their statements, although Bunting did not return as brigadier, his place having been taken by "Big" Bill Hill, a dissident who had been prominent in the [[Belfast City Hall flag protests]].<ref>[http://www.sundayworld.com/news/northern-ireland/udas-big-bill-does-a-runner-as-feud-looms-spain-uda-tigers-bay UDA's 'Big Bill' does a runner to Spain as feud looms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927202802/http://www.sundayworld.com/news/northern-ireland/udas-big-bill-does-a-runner-as-feud-looms-spain-uda-tigers-bay |date=2016-09-27 }}, ''[[Sunday World]]''</ref> However this new leadership also began a feud with the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) group in [[Shore Road, Belfast|Mount Vernon]], a move which was not endorsed by their previous allies in West Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/08/04/news/north-belfast-uda-on-their-own-against-mount-vernon-uvf-636519/|title=North Belfast UDA 'on their own' against Mount Vernon UVF|website=The Irish News|date=4 August 2016 |access-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029090823/http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/08/04/news/north-belfast-uda-on-their-own-against-mount-vernon-uvf-636519/|archive-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> In August 2016 the new leader was reported as having fled to Scotland due to the threat of the Mount Vernon UVF.<ref name="boreland">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2016/08/07/news/man-shot-dead-in-north-belfast-641739/|title=Leading loyalist John Boreland shot dead in north Belfast|website=The Irish News|date=8 August 2016 |access-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013094151/http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2016/08/07/news/man-shot-dead-in-north-belfast-641739/|archive-date=13 October 2016}}</ref> John Boreland was shot dead soon after this.<ref name="boreland"/>

In October 2016 it was reported that South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald had installed Sam "Bib" Blair, a [[Whitewell Road|White City]]-based veteran who had been kneecapped by supporters of the Shoukris in 2003 after attempting to oust them from the leadership, as the new brigadier. Blair attempted to shore up his position by recruiting former allies of Bunting to his side, having reportedly been only sixth choice for the role with several more prominent figures turning down the job as a "poisoned chalice".<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= BARMY BRIG ARMY BRIGADE ; EXCLUSIVE FEUD-RACKED GANG 'SACKED GANG'S NEW MANAGEMENT: New North Belfast UDA Brigadier Sam Bib Blair Assembles a Motley Crew as His Leadership Team after Murder of John Boreland |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 23 October 2016 |first= Ciaran |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-40162300.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-40162300.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= Ex-Racketeer Is New Boss of UDA Faction |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 9 October 2016 |first= Ciaran |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-465935651.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210427/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-465935651.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref> However, by June 2017 it was reported that the UDA in North Belfast had disintegrated into three sections: Blair's supporters, a group of dissidents in Tiger's Bay and a further group in Boreland's former stronghold of Ballysillan.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Allen |title= A Band of Thugs Riven by Infighting |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]]|access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 19 March 2017 |first= Tony |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-486034666.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-486034666.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref>

===2017–date: South East Antrim Brigade feud===
On 13 March 2017 George Gilmore, formerly a commander in the brigade was the target of an assassination for standing up for friends and family who were being bullied by the leadership in Carrickfergus.<ref name="IrishNews">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2017/03/16/news/killer-of-leading-loyalist-george-gilmore-remains-at-large-965802/|title=Killer of leading loyalist George Gilmore remains at large|first=Allison|last=Morris|website=The Irish News|date=16 March 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320232314/http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2017/03/16/news/killer-of-leading-loyalist-george-gilmore-remains-at-large-965802/|archive-date=2017-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39257806|title='Loyalist' critically injured in Carrickfergus shooting|work=BBC News |date=13 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608173415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39257806|archive-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> Gilmore died the following day, with the incident described as part of an ongoing feud in the town.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39268171|title=High-profile loyalist George Gilmore dies after gun attack|work=BBC News |date=14 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603031224/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39268171|archive-date=3 June 2017}}</ref> Two men were subsequently charged with the murder.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39321879|title=Man arrested in Carrickfergus over murder of loyalist George Gilmore|work=BBC News |date=19 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529235925/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39321879|archive-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> Gilmore had been targeted in an unsuccessful crossbow attack the previous August.<ref name="IrishNews"/> The South-east Antrim brigadier, who was not named in reports, stated that any brigade members attending Gilmore's funeral would be expelled.<ref name="IrishNews"/>

On 29 May 2017 the South East Antrim UDA murdered an ex member and friend of George Gilmore. Colin Horner was fatally shot in front of his three-year-old son at a busy shopping centre.<ref name="TheGuradian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/29/man-shot-in-front-of-son-in-northern-ireland-victim-of-uda-internal-feud-colin-horner|title=Man shot in front of son in Northern Ireland 'victim of UDA internal feud'|first=Henry McDonald Ireland|last=correspondent|date=29 May 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610210136/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/29/man-shot-in-front-of-son-in-northern-ireland-victim-of-uda-internal-feud-colin-horner|archive-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> Police have made various arrests. <ref name="ITV">{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/utv/2017-06-01/man-charged-with-murder-in-supermarket-car-park/|title=Police make another arrest over Colin Horner murder|date=June 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607160537/http://www.itv.com/news/utv/2017-06-01/man-charged-with-murder-in-supermarket-car-park/|archive-date=2017-06-07}}</ref>