Irish Republican News · April 26, 2004

Adair deported to Bolton

Unionist paramilitary Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair has been released from prison and flown to England by the British army.

The former UDA leader was taken from Maghaberry prison, near Lisburn, County Antrim, and then flown by military helicopter to Manchester.

Former associates of Adair had vowed to kill him if he returned to his home in the Shankill Road area of Belfast. His wife Gina and other supporters live in Bolton.

The Northern Ireland prison service said he had not received any pre-release home leave since 1999 because his “continuing involvement with illegal activities... would have posed an unacceptable risk to the community in Northern Ireland.”

Adair has been accused of killing his former UDA comrade John Gregg two years ago in a bllody feud which led to his ouster from his Shankill Road stronghold.

Adair’s wife and children moved last year to Bolton, near Manchester in northern England. Their teenage son Jonathan, was jailed last year for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Davy Adams, a former unionist paramilitary spokesman and regular newspaper columnist, has fled his Lisburn home after a campaign of attacks by the UDA against his family. The attacks are understood to have begun when senior UDA figures in Lisburn objected to his role on a local policing board.

A leader of the UPRG, a group that represents the UDA in political talks, has been charged with membership of the UDA. The prosecution case claims a masked speaker at a UDA press conference following the murder by a rival group of Daniel McColgan, a postal worker, in north Belfast, could be identified as Belfast man Dennis Cunningham.

DISSIDENT ATTACKS ESCALATE

A blast bomb exploded tonight at a PSNI base in County Armagh. It is the first bomb attack on a Crown force base by breakaway republicans in recent months.

The device was thrown into the grounds of the barracks in Lurgan but caused no damage. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, four firebombs found at a mail sorting centre near Belfast have also been blamed on republican hardliners.

Three halls owned by the Protestant Orange Order in County Tyrone have been targeted in arson attacks in little over a week. There have been two attacks on halls in the Strabane area and another outside Castlederg. All three are believed to be related.

Urgent Appeal

Despite increasing support for Irish freedom and unity, we need your help to overcome British and unionist intransigence. We can end the denial of our rights in relation to Brexit, the Irish language, a border poll and legacy issues, with your support.

Please support IRN now to help us continue reporting and campaigning for our national rights. Even one pound a month can make a big difference for us.

Your contribution can be made with a credit or debit card by clicking below. A continuing monthly donation of £2 or more will give you full access to this site. Thank you. Go raibh míle maith agat.