Ulster Defense Association (UDA) Guns For Cash?

Ulster Defense Association (UDA) Guns For Cash? There are fresh doubts on whether the Ulster Defense Association (UDA) have complied fully with decommissioning arrangements with General John de Chastelain’s Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).

It is claimed by local Northern Ireland press and media sources that the paramilitary group requested millions of pounds in return for decommissioning their arsenal. The request was made to fund the provision of “community groups” in loyalist areas. In addition the UDA are alleged to have demanded the release of prisoners jailed since their ceasefire.

Upon the British government rejection of these proposals it is believed that the UDA reneged on the amount of weapons it agreed to decommission.  Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, has insisted there had been "no deals and no negotiations".

However, on the issue of “greater representation” required by loyalist areas in the Northern Ireland political process, he hinted that British government movement was feasible. On a recent BBC Politics Show interview, Woodward gestured that “recognition” was needed to reward the acts of loyalist leadership demonstrated so far. Presumably, these rewards may take the form of new social projects in loyalist areas, although Mr. Woodward relayed that it was a matter for the Stormont Executive to decide such allocations of monies.

However, this latest debacle is yet another stumbling block towards a full unequivocal decommissioning by some loyalist factions. In January 09 David Malcolm, Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) spokesman, has reservations regarding an imminent UDA and described the possibilities as not a “feasible exercise”.

The main reason sited by the UPRG spokesman, concerned the current level of dissident IRA.

As regards this most recent spanner in the proverbial works, UPRG representative Frankie Gallagher said:

"I am saying nothing about anything at the minute."

There has been wholesale condemnation from Political and Church figures alike in response to these alleged UDA demands. The head of the Methodist Church Rev Donald Kerr said the UDA must not receive any form of financial incentive for decommissioning.

About The Author

I am a political blogger offering opinion with a decidedly traditional Irish Republican bias. My aim is to ‘Feel the Pulse’ of Republicans on the pursuit of our ‘Holy Grail’ –A United Ireland. Rather than divide Republican sentiment, this blog seeks to augment and reinforce a true united Irish Republican voice. Go Raibh Maith Agat!!

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