physical force

UDU-UFF-UDA

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This is a 2007? repainting of a lower Shankill mural placing Ulster Freedom Fighters/Ulster Defence Association (UFF/UDA) within the historical context of “a new organization entitled the Ulster Defence Association, the objects of which are to elect an assembly of 600 delegates, having authority to declare the policy and direct the action of the Ulster Unionists and to raise funds for the purposes of the organization from loyalists of all classes.” The motto of the organisation was “Quis separabit” (which is the same as the UDA’s).

The Union faded away in the 1910s, but the name was revived by the UDA in 2007.

The manifesto was launched on St Patrick’s day 1893, in response to the 2nd Home Rule bill. Membership was closed on June 1st, by which time 170,000 people had signed up. The newspaper source of the text is unknown; a similar newspaper article from the Tasmanian Daily Telegraph can be found here. The words “Ulster Defence Association” do not occur in the manifesto.

For more on Saunderson, see Union Is Strength.

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
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Can It Change?

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From the Belfast Telegraph: “Several hundred familys [sic] were forced to flee their homes last night as homes came under attack from republicans. The number homeless is running into several thousand, more people were moving out of riot areas today. The women and children have been offered shelter in cities across the sea. Security forces moved in to bring calm into riot areas.” The event referred to is the rioting in Bombay Street in 1969. “Can it change? We believe!”

Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
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Stevie McKeag

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“In loving memory of military commander Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, born 1970, died 2000. Sleeping where no shadows fall.” The plaques and the photograph in the centre are new (see previously 2007).

McKeag was the top assassin in the UDA during the 1990s, claiming at least 12 victims. Both his WP page and this Guardian article describe his career and his – sometimes contentious – preeminent standing within the UDA.

The upper plaque reads “This mural is dedicated to the memory of Stevie (Top Gun) McKeag from the officers & members of C Company 2nd Battalion UFF. Gone but not forgotten. Quis separabit.” The lower plaque reads “In loving memory of our big brother Steven McKeag from Jackie, Mary & Melissa. Simply the best.”

Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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Oliver Cromwell

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This is a lower Shankill mural of Oliver Cromwell, Lieutenant General, Lord Protector of the Protestant faith, born 1599, died 1658. “Catholicism is more than a religion, it is a political power. Therefore I’m led to believe there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic church is crushed.” “Our clergy persecuted and our Protestant churches desecrated. Also our Protestant people slaughtered in their thousands.”

Shankill Parade, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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30 Years Of Slaughter

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“30 years of indiscriminate slaughter by so-called non-sectarian Irish freedom fighters. No military targets! No economic targets! No legitimate targets! Where are our inquiries? Where is our truth? Where is our justice?”

The bombings listed are: “Fourstep Inn, bombed 29th Sept. 1971, 2 innocents killed”; “Bayardo Bar, bombed 13th August 1975, 5 innocents killed”; “Balmoral Showroom, bombed 11th December 1971, 2 adults and 2 babies killed”; “Mountainview Tavern, bombed 5th April 1975, 5 innocents killed”; “Frizzell’s Fish Shop, bombed 23rd October 1993, 9 innocents killed”.

There was previously a painted version of this mural in Bellevue Street.

Dundee Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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1914-2004

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“A UVF roadblock at Donaghadee, April 24/25th 1914, during gunrunning.”  The main landing was at Larne, but two small boats transported arms from the Clyde Valley in Larne to Donaghadee. Motor cars were used (for the first time in history) to distribute the rifles and ammunition across the north.

“Preparing to bear arms 1914 – Prepared to bear arms 2004.” The Ulster Volunteers/36th Division and the modern UVF are put in parallel.

The wide shot includes a UVF memorial plaque seen in the Peter Moloney Collection.

Spier’s Place, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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Red Hand Commando

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On the left: “It is not for glory or riches we fight but for our people” (from the Declaration Of Arbroath). On the right: “Lamh dearg abu” [= “Lámh dhearg abú”] [= “Red Hand to victory”], “Ulster to victory”.

With the insignia of the Red Hand Commando and a pair of bald-headed eagles.

This is a repaint of the mural seen in 1999.

Glenwood Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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The Untold Story

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“In August 1971 many Protestants fled their homes as the IRA launched a bitter sectarian attack on Protestant communities throughout Belfast. The loyal people of Liverpool held out the hand of friendship in our hour of need up to 2000 terrified women and children escaped from burning homes to live in the safety of Liverpool. That act of friendship by the people of Liverpool will never be forgotten. Liverpool – Belfast a bond never broken. No surrender ” With newspaper reports by the Belfast Telegraph and Liverpool Echo. Sponsored by the East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society.

Canada Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
T00486

The People’s Army

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“The arming, the training, and the sacrifice of The People’s Army.” The arming of the Ulster Volunteers (top left) comes from the guns smuggled into Larne on the Clyde Valley. The training of the Ulster Volunteers shown (top right) is probably at Ballywalter. The sacrifice (bottom) is the 36th (Ulster) Division going over the top in James Beadle’s painting ‘Charge of the 36th (Ulster) Division, Somme, 1st July 1916’.

Inverary Drive, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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