Rathfern UDA

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This entry updates the Rathfern UDA mural at the entrance to Cloughfern estate, painted in 2015 with only the name of John “The Reaper” Gregg listed on the right. Rab Carson’s name was added last year (2021) after his widow’s bid for compensation – which included the claim that Carson was not in the UDA – was denied (BelTel | BelTel). The pair had equal footing on the previous mural (see Gregg & Carson).

Both were members of South East Antrim brigade. Gregg waged a campaign of terror against Catholics in the area and was reputedly associated with British neo-Nazi groups. He and Carson were killed on February 1st, 2003, while returning from a Rangers match, on orders from Johnny Adair (of the West Belfast brigade) after Gregg and other brigade bosses voted to expel Adair from the UDA in October 2002. (Irish Examiner)

Knockenagh Drive, Newtownabbey

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The Somme 1916

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The ‘Liverpool No. 4 battalion’ UVF mural in Tynan Drive, Monkstown, (seen previously) has been replaced by a Dee Craig (Fb) mural to the soldiers of the Ulster Volunteers (see the ‘bleeding hand’ symbol in the apex) at the Somme. The small plaque on the fence to John Webster (a.k.a. Webber), Lee Irwin & Steven Cook, remains.

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Monkstown UDA

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This Monkstown mural commemorates four UDA volunteers: Malcolm Fisher, Colin Weir, Jim McClurg and William Hobbs. Hobbs and McClurg were killed when a bomb went off prematurely (CAIN’s Sutton Index 1977) ; there is no mention of the other two. Please leave a comment or send an e-mail if you have any information.

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South East Antrim UDA

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There are both UDA and UVF murals along Devenish Drive in Monkstown. Here we have a UDA hooded gunman, along with insignia and mottoes of the UFF/UDA/UYM. The UFF/UYM with a red hand closed into a fist, the open palm of the UDA; UFF – Feriens Tego; UYM – Terrae Filius; UDA – Quis Separabit.

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Sons Of KAI

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Sons Of Kai flute band (ig) re-formed in 2006 (youtube | Coin Talk) but here claims as its origin date “1972”. IWM gives the founding year as 1970, and quotes one of the founders, Bo Kerr, saying that the band was named after Danish soccer player Kai Johansen (WP), who played for Rangers from 1965-1970, and that the “tartan” gang (History Ireland) ‘Rathcoole KAI’ subsequently took its named from the band. Then (BelTel) and now (Irish News | Slugger) “KAI” is understood to stand for “Kill All Irish”. A 1982 image of the Rathcoole KAI “red devils” mural can be seen in the Ciaran McGowan collection at IWM.

See also: Kai Johansen’s Bar.

Abbot’s Cross and Rathmullin Way, Newtownabbey

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Our British Birthright

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This pair of UVF boards are on the wall of the Fern in Rathcoole and right next to the UDA markings seen in Rathcoole UDA. Included in the 1st East Antrim are both local areas (Carrickfergus, Ballyduff, Ballyclare, Greenisland, Glengormley, Monkstown, Rathcoole, Larne, Whitehead) and affiliated British units (Drumchapel (Glasgow, Scotland), Blackpool (England), Corby (England), Paisley (Scotland), Liverpool (England), Possilpark (Glasgow), Blairgowrie (Scotland), Falkirk (Scotland), and Springburn (Glasgow)) of the 1st East Antrim Battalion, “The people’s army”.

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