Gang bosses preparing to rush out sham statement rejecting criminality in bid to keep the cops off their backs
South East Antrim (SEA) UDA leaders are preparing to issue a statement rejecting criminality in a bid to get the PSNI off their backs.Details of the plan emerged after three bars were raided by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force in an investigation into suspected SEA UDA criminality.The searches took place last Wednesday morning at the Eastway Social Club in Rathcoole, known locally as The Alpha, the Cloughfern Arms on the Doagh Road, and the Greenisland Working Men’s Social Club.Two imitation firearms were recovered and are being forensically tested.
The PSNI said: “The inspections were part of an ongoing investigation into suspected criminality linked to the South East Antrim UDA.”The pubs all have strong SEA UDA links and are used as drinking dens by several of its members.The searches, which drew many curious onlookers, have caused panic among the group’s leadership.They came after former SEA UDA boss Gary Fisher had a holiday home seized by the National Crime Agency last summer.Loyalists say his veteran advisor Tommy Kirkham is now claiming to have found God in a desperate effort to dodge financial investigators.“There has been talk for a while about the organisation putting out a statement rejecting criminality, and Remembrance Sunday had been suggested as a date for this,” a SEA UDA insider told Sunday Life.“But the bosses can’t wait until then and they are terrified of having assets frozen or being hit with one of those Unexplained Wealth Orders.”
Far from being opposed to criminality, SEA UDA sources say any statement to that effect will be nothing more than a token gesture.“The bosses make far too much money from criminality to give it up. We’re talking millions of pounds every year,” added the insider.“What they are trying to do is separate the SEA UDA from criminality by taking part in government-sponsored transitioning schemes like other UDA brigades in Belfast.They are hoping that the police will leave them alone if they are at least seen to be trying to change.”
A shift in the SEA UDA leadership last summer, brought about by its veteran boss Gary Fisher suffering an almost fatal heart attack, saw the gang’s new chiefs engage in transitioning talks with government officials. As a result of this, two of the terror group’s masked gunmen murals in the Rathcoole and Monkstown estates were replaced with portraits of the royal family.However, the SEA UDA continues to be mired in criminality. Last year Sunday Life revealed how the gang was buying nine-bars (9oz) of cocaine for the wholesale price of £9,000 from criminals in west Belfast. These are then sold to SEA UDA dealers for £12,500, who have to pay a £1,500 protection fee on top.This nets the paramilitary gang an overall profit of £5,000 on every nine-bar, which translates into millions of pounds each year.
The SEA UDA is estimated to have around 2,500 members, making it the biggest organised crime gang in Northern Ireland. It controls crime turf stretching from Larne to north Belfast, taking in pockets of Ballymena and Antrim town.According to insiders, plans the terror gang has to issue a hollow anti-criminality statement were prompted by specialist cops going after wealth accumulated by loyalist chiefs.
by fyurig
6 comments
*sigh*
The usual reminder that it is in no way normal to write about terrorist groups like a gossip column, with quotes and descriptions of their feelings.
Yes this place definitely doesn’t look dodgy or anything
Looks like the Clansman
Remember the time The Cloughfern Arms played it cool by featuring on a literal UDA mural.
https://preview.redd.it/0d002g660e4d1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=364582b31d55a44ce2030f7ff479e24d071d439b
That place looks bleak
” . . .saw the gang’s new chiefs engage in transitioning talks with government officials. As a result of this, two of the terror group’s masked gunmen murals in the Rathcoole and Monkstown estates were replaced with portraits of the royal family.”
lol