Ulster Defence Association

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1971 as an umbrella organisation for a number of existing loyalist groups. It remained legal until 1991.Ulster Defence Association, Northern Ireland: The Troubles - Fact Files, BBC, accessed 21 November 2001.
==Origin==
According to journalist Martin Dillon, the UDA emerged during the early years of the Troubles out of conversations involving the unionist politician William Craig after he was rebuffed in meetings with the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1970. he then turned turned his attention to the idea of a new paramilitary organisation with a legal framework, and held discussions with loyalist figures including William McGrath, John McKeague, Charles Harding Smith and Tommy Herron.Martin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.173.
In July 1971, Harding Smith, the head of the Woodvale Defence Association was involved in drafting a statement calling for loyalists to form themselves into armed platoons of 20 to be integrated into an incipient command structure.Martin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.
The formation of the Ulster Defence Association was proposed in September 1971 as an umbrella organisation for the various 'Protestant Defence Associations'.Colin Crawford, Inside the UDA: Volunteers and Violence, Pluto Ireland, 2003, p.20.
==Structure and Personnel==
According to the Pat Finucane Review, by Sir Desmond de Silva QC:
::The UDA structure was divided into six geographical areas during the late 1980s (Londonderry, South-East Antrim, North Belfast, East Belfast, West Belfast and South Belfast).[11] Each geographical area was commanded by a UDA 'Brigadier' and sometimes also had a designated 'Military Commander', 'Intelligence Officer' and 'Quartermaster'. The six UDA Brigadiers formed an 'Inner Council', which held meetings that were sometimes also attended by other leading UDA figures. In practice, however, the degree of central control exercised by the Inner Council was limited: the Brigadiers supposedly in command of their areas sometimes had little influence over the younger gangs.Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 2: The historical and political context, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
===Chairman===
*Charles Harding SmithRobert Fisk, The Point of No Return, The Strike which broke the British in Ulster, André Deutsch, 1975, p.355.
*Jim Anderson
*Jim Anderson and Charles Harding SmithMartin Dillon, The Trigger Men, Mainstream Publishing, 2003, p.183.
*Andy Tyrie - 1973-1988.W.D. Flackes, Sydney Elliot, Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, Blackstaff Press, 1989, p.270.
===West Belfast Brigadier===
*Charles Harding SmithAlan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
*Tommy LyttleAlan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
*Tommy Irvine
*Jim Spence
*Ken Barrett
*Billy KennedyIan S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.155.
*Johnny Adair - 2002.Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*William 'Winkie' DoddsDavid Lister, Godfathers who threaten the peace, The Times, 25 July 2002.
*William 'Mo' Courtney 2002.Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*Jackie Thompson 2003.Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*Matt KincaidAlan Murphy, Expulsions are two-fingers to mainstream UDA, Sunday Life, 30 July 2006.
====West Belfast UDA====
According to the De Silva Review, In West Belfast, the UDA were further sub-divided into 'Coys' and the Woodvale Defence Association (WDA). In practice, these structures were loose and highly changeable."Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 2: The historical and political context, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
===North Belfast Brigadier===
*Davy PayneIan S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.60.
*John Reid, according to Ian S. Wood, possibly a misprint for Tom Reid.Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.
*Andre Shoukri c.-2002.Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*Ihab Shoukri c.2003.Roddy McGregor, Gallagher 'not aware' of death threat to Shoukri, Irish News, 28 July 2003, archived at nuzhound.com.
*William John BorlandLaura Friel, Mechanisms of exclusion, An Phoblacht/Republican News, 11 September 2003.
*John BuntingBrian Rowan, Dissidents furious over UDA leaders on Queen’s guest list, Belfast Telegraph, 16 May 2011.
===East Belfast Brigadier===
*Tommy HerronCiaran De Baroid, Ballymurphy and the Irish War, Pluto Press, 2000, p.152.
*Sammy McCormickProtestant Paramilitary Leaders Arrested, Associated Press, 14 April 1982.
*Billy ElliottAlan Murray, YOUNG BLOODS TILL UDA'S KILLING FIELDS, The Guardian, 11 August 1992.
*Ned McCreery -1992.Angelique Chrisafis, The death of Doris Day, The Guardian, 12 October 2005.
*Jim GrayRosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*Jimmy BirchBrian Rowan, Why this death threat must be taken seriously, Belfast telegraph, 22 August 2012.
===South Belfast Brigadier===
*John McMichaelIan S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.118.
*Alex KerrIan S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.205.
*Jackie McDonaldRosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
===South-East Antrim Brigadier===
*Alan Snoddie -1988.Ian S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.136.
*Joe EnglishIan S. Wood, Crimes of Loyalty, A History of the UDA, Edinburgh University Press, 2006, p.186.
*John "Grugg" Gregg -2003.Rosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
*Gary FisherBrian Rowan, UDA expels south east Antrim brigade chiefs, Belfast Telegraph, 29 March 2007.
===Londonderry and North Antrim Brigadier===
*Billy McFarlandRosie Cowan, Too many chiefs led to loyalist bloodshed, The Guardian, 4 February 2003.
==External Resources==
*Pat Finucane Centre, The Security Forces and the UDA
*Owen Boycott, MoD took softer line on loyalist paramilitaries, secret files reveal, The Guardian, 11 October 2010.
*Chris Kilpatrick, Loyalists hold picket as UDA split deepens, Belfast Telegraph, 30 November 2013.
*Brian Rowan, As UDA confirms major split, a dangerous tussle for power is now brewing, Belfast Telegraph, 5 December 2013.
*Chris Kilpatrick, UDA feud escalates over bid to oust north Belfast 'brigadier' John Bunting, Belfast Telegraph, 10 December 2013.
==Notes==
Category:Northern IrelandCategory:UDACategory:State Violence and Collusion Project