UDA/UFF/UYM

Loyalist Movilla

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“The Parachute Regiment betrayed by the government to satisfy IRA Army Council demands.” The charges of murder and attempted murder against Soldier F were originally lodged (CNN) and pursued in 2019 (Guardian) but in 2021 the PPS decided to drop the charges. In March (2022) that decision was quashed (BelTel | Guardian). The charges against Soldier F concerned two specific victims, William McKinney and James Wray, though witness testimony involves F in at least four of the deaths (Irish Central | Village). In response to the original charges, the Movilla UDA added the framed tarp shown here to their ‘hooded gunmen’ board in Georges Street, Newtownards.

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Armed & Ready

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The Weavers Grange estate in Newtownards was back in the news this week after a car was destroyed there by petrol bomb (Belfast Live). This is the latest in a long spring season of violence between by rival gangs (North Down UFF and the “Real” UFF, which was affiliated with the South East Antrim UDA (Sunday World)) that began in March and have caused over 30 families to leave the estate (Bel Tel). (Irish News March 30th | BBC April 8th | Bel Tel May 3rd). Bangor, Ballywalter, and Donaghadee have also seen violence (Belfast Live | BBC).

The images today are of the loyalist boards in Weaver’s Grange estates before the recent disturbances, which included the removal of at least some of South East Antrim UDA boards (Bel Tel | Sunday World which includes a photo of the penultimate board shown here being torn down).

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Seymour Hill UDA

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Above, a “Welcome to loyalist Seymour Hill” board with flags and poppies, and a (2021) tarp “Seymour Hill says no to the Irish Sea border”.

Below, Queen Elizabeth II 70th/platinum Jubilee banners remain on either side of the UDA board above the Seymour Hill shops, even after her death in September (previously there were two NI Centenary banners). There are orange lilies at the four corners of the UDA emblem.

Rowan Drive, Dunmurry

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That We May Live In Freedom

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The old C Batt mural further up Hornbeam Road has long been painted over. It used the same line – “They gave their lives that we may live in freedom” – to remember Wesley Nicholl and Brian Morton. A plaque to Morton is now included on top of the new mural. “Brian Morton (Morty) killed in action 07/07/1997, a true Ulster patriot who gave his life in defence of his country. Feriens tego.” As with republican memorials, “active service” means that Morton was killed by a premature bomb exploding.

Previously on this wall: Queensway Flute Band.

Hornbeam Drive, Dunmurry

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South East Antrim Remembers

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“Dedicated to the officers & volunteers of 2nd battalion.” This 2017 South East Antrim 2nd battalion UDA/UFF mural in Glengormley lists the battalion’s areas: Rathcoole, Monkstown, Whitewell, Greenisland, Rathfern, Shore Rd, Glengormley, Carrickfergus, Larne, Braidside [Ballymena], Whitehead, Ballymena, Antrim, Ballycarry, Ballyclare, Newtownards.

Replaces They Live With Us in Queen’s Avenue, Glengormley, Newtownabbey

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Invictus

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This printed display celebrates the creation of the Woodvale Defence Association as “Defenders of our community since 1969” which in 1971 merged with other associations to form the UDA, whose youth wing is the UYM (lower middle, “terrae filius” = “sons of the soil”) and which uses “UFF” (upper left, “feriens ego” = “attack to defend”) as a cover for military operation. The final emblem is of the LPA (Loyalist Prisoners’ Association, “quis separabit” = “none shall separate us”). The mural replaced by this one is in the bottom left, while the bottom right contains an image of Long Kesh in 1979. The main photograph is of a 1972 march on the Shankill.

On the side-wall, lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem For The Fallen of WWI are used: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun/And in the morning we shall remember them.”

Both pieces are a combination of printed poster and attached boards.

Disraeli Street, Belfast

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Ulster’s Defenders

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Ulster’s defenders, past and present, from Cuchulainn “Ancient defender of Ulster from Gael attacks”, via the 1893 UDU and WWI soldiers memorialised in the towers at Messines and Thiepval, to the modern UDA/UFF: “In memory of the officers and volunteers of A. Coy. UDA/UFF West Belfast Brigade who unselfishly dedicated their lives in defence of their country.”

There was also a Cuchulainn mural on Newtownards Rd in 1992 (updated in 2005), as well as ‘past defenders’ in the form of B Specials and UDR (1992 | 2005). There is a Visual History page on Cú Chulaınn.

Among the volunteers listed on the stone, 19 year old Alan Simpson was shot in his home in nearby Highfield Drive.

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None Shall Divide Us

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“Audemus jura nostra defendere – We dare to defend our rights”. The UDA/UFF/UYM/LPA mural above shows hooded gunmen standing either side of a view of Carrickfergus castle. The phrase “The price of peace is eternal vigilance” is associated with British politician Leonard Courtney (who also said “Lies – damned lies – and statistics) though it probably goes further back. As can be seen from the second image, the mural watches over Woodlawn primary school. The third image shows the memorial garden off to the right-hand side; the plaque is shown fourth: “This memorial is dedicated to the memory of the officers and members of our organisation who were murdered by the enemies of Ulster and to those who paid the supreme sacrifice whilst on active service during the present conflict. Quis separabit.”

For the previous mural (Ulster’s Call 1893 – Boer War), see Murals Irlande du Nord.

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Show No Mercy

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“Show no mercy and expect none”. Iron Maiden’s Eddie the trooper, armed with an assault rifle and carrying a UDA flag, leads the grim reaper over the graves of “G. Adams”, “McGuinness” and “A. Maskey”. UDA/UFF mural in Castlemara, Carrickfergus.

For more on Eddie, see his Visual History page.

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