Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
On this day in 1988 the IRA murdered Derek Tony Wood, age 24, (known as Del) & David Robert Howes, age 23 (known as Bob) two plain clothed soldiers driving in West Belfast, viciously murdered when they strayed into the path of an IRA funeral, funerals of the men murdered at milltown cemetery by loyalist Michael Stone.
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AUGUST 2002 - by henry Mcdonald,
John 'Grugg' Gregg has recently been removed from his post as 'brigadier' of the UDA's East Antrim Brigade and replaced by a close ally of leading loyalist Johnny Adair. The coup against Gregg is part of Adair's strategy to tighten his grip on Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary force. Adair, according to loyalist sources, aims to become the UDA's Supreme Commander.
The Observer has learnt that 15 hardline members of the East Antrim Brigade, with the support of Adair's 2nd Battalion, C Company in the Lower Shankill Road, plotted the coup against Gregg.
The new brigadier in East Antrim is a close associate of Adair and provided the guns to murder 19-year-old postman Danny McColgan this year. He is known as one of the most ruthless killers in the UDA's East Antrim unit.
One senior loyalist told The Observer that Gregg had no choice but to step down. 'The writing has been on the wall for some time that he'd go. He had no choice - like some of those before him. But he won't be sent to Coventry or anything like that. No one will be beaten or shot for talking or associating with him. He's just busted down the ranks, and that's part of the power play going on inside the UDA,' the loyalist source said.
The catalyst for Gregg's sacking was his behaviour following the McColgan murder. He fled to Scotland shortly afterwards, using a trip to a Glasgow Rangers game as an alibi. He was arrested outside Ibrox stadium by Scottish police and charged with a public order offence.
Younger UDA members, particularly on the loyalist Rathcoole estate, felt he had used the trip to escape the attention of police in Northern Ireland investigating the murder while other loyalists were under pressure from the Special Branch.
Gregg also incurred the wrath of Adair's allies by refusing to hand over control of UDA-run drinking club in East Antrim. Until recently he was a loyalist icon for trying to assassinate Adams in March 1984. He and his UDA comrades ambushed a car in which the Sinn Fein president was travelling through central Belfast. Twelve shots were fired and three bullets struck Adams. He was rushed to the Mater Hospital, where surgeons saved the his life and arguably changed the course of Irish history.
During the commotion after the attempt, a getaway car driven by an off-duty British soldier rammed Gregg's car. In the panic, the loyalist shot himself in the foot. After his arrest and conviction, Gregg was sentenced to 18 years for his leading role in the ambush. However, he served only half of his allotted time, being released from the Maze prison in 1993. He later told BBC programme-maker Peter Taylor that his only regret was that he did not kill Adams.
A giant of a man with a full-size tattoo of the Grim Reaper on his back Gregg personified hardline loyalism, and was one of the UDA brigadiers who met Adair when the Shankill loyalist was freed from Maghaberry prison last June.
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This will cause some trouble for the IRA
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Veteran IRA member Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane has died. He was the OC in the 1980s during the Hunger strike and was one of 38 IRA men to escape the Maze prison in 1983.
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Clifford mckeown dies, informer and murderer, zero sympathy,
Clifford murdered hard working taxi driver Michael McGoldrick, who had graduated two days before the murder with a degree in English & Politics from Queen's University Belfast, and hoped to become a teacher. He had a daughter Emma with his wife, Sadie, and a son on the way. McGoldrick worked as a taxi driver in Lurgan, Northern Ireland part-time to finance his studies.
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The front page of the UVFs magazine COMBAT, after the shooting of terrorist Brian Robinson on the crumlin road on September 2nd 1989, seconds beforehand Robinson murdered an innocent catholic, his closest comrades within the UVF believe that an agent was compromised which led to Robinsons death.
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UVF member and Shankill Butcher serial killer Lenny Murphy pictured here with his Rover car, which the IRA would later murder him in, with the help of the UVF passing on details about his movements, Murphy was shot more than 20 times with a sub machine gun and a 9mm pistol.
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A letter sent to Johnny 'Mad dog' Adair from LVF leader Billy Wright from his cell at HMP Maze, 1997
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A letter that loyalist killer Michael Stone posted to the media laying out his plans to murder the then Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness at Stormont in 2006, part of the prison talks team in HMP Maze. Bottom photo is UFFs Glen "Titch" Cunningham, Michael Stone, Bobby Philpott and Sam "Skelly" McCrory, also part of the peace talks was Johnny Adair, all who met the british government held rank inside the prison. Photo taken inside H-block 7, now demolished.
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Northern lights last night when i was out and about, so lovely â¤
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A selection of documentaries and news clips to reflect on how far the country of Northern Ireland has come, from the dark days of daily murder, bombing and bullets to historic peace. I upload from both sides and will delete any vile comments about people. Rest in peace to all who died during the conflict.