UDA warns 'Mad Dog' Adair over split
Ousted loyalist terror chief Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair was warned today against trying to split his former paramilitary unit.
Ulster Defence Association leaders in west Belfast accused the deposed commander and his supporters of running a smear campaign against the new regime.
Although Adair is in jail and his associates have moved to Lancashire after they were forced to flee the North, the UDA claimed they were attempting to undermine efforts to restore order.
A statement issued by the organisation’s West Belfast Brigade said: “Over the last six months, disenfranchised former members and others have waged a campaign of division.
“These individuals brought nothing but heartache and shame to our organisation and community in the past and are intent in doing the same in the present and future.
“We would inform those individuals that their campaign is not working, nor will it work in the future.”
Adair was sent back to Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, 12 months ago at the height of a vicious power struggle in the UDA which left four men dead.
His family and friends were forced to quit their former power base in the Lower Shankill area of the city as the terrorist organisation took control.
Adair’s wife Gina and his son Jonathan were arrested by police in Bolton late last year on suspected drug offences.
But the UDA have now blamed their former colleagues of trying to “create an atmosphere of distrust and disharmony” within the grouping.
The statement added: “This organisation has worked tirelessly to overturn a legacy of shame those former members left behind.
“The brigades have been built and we are continuing to stablise and develop our communities.”
