The Long Road Home

The decision to release loyalist killer Torrens Knight from prison is an affront to democracy which has sent shockwaves through society, a Northern Ireland Assemblyman said today.

THE Ulster Defence Association (UDA) was established in 1971 as a cover name for several loyalist organisations.

One of the North's most ruthless loyalist paramilitary assassins, who was freed from jail under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, was sentenced to four months today for beating up two sisters.

Notorious loyalist killer Torrens Knight was tonight arrested in the North and his release from prison suspended, Northern Ireland Prison Service said.

Loyalist paramilitary groups in the North have destroyed their weapons and pledged to respect democratic rule, it was announced today.

Three loyalist paramilitary groups in the North have started to decommission their weapons after painstaking behind-the-scenes efforts to secure disarmament.

Disgruntled members of the North’s two largest loyalist paramilitary groups have carried out attacks as the organisations move slowly away from violence, it was claimed today.

The British government put on hold 18 months ago preparations for a public inquiry into the controversial murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, it emerged today.

THE decision by the UDA to declare its war is over and to disband its cover group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), was long overdue. Its announcement was followed by the assertion of a former UDA killer, Kenny McClinton, that “people in loyalist circles are driven by ideals and the defence of their country” and that the only reason the UDA ever existed was “to defend the loyalist community”.

The loyalist Ulster Defence Association must prove its vow to end all criminality and paramilitarism is for real, Martin McGuinness insisted today.

The lasting legacy of the North’s peace process could be to point a way forward for other conflict zones around the world, a leading US statesman claimed today.

Rival loyalist paramilitary organisations may have joined forces to brutally murder a Catholic teenager in the North, an inquest heard today.

Loyalists in the North should decommission their weapons and disband their terror machines, one of their most notorious former leaders said tonight.

Is there one place that whenever you hear its name, you automatically associate with Protestantism, loyalism and unionism?

DRAWN into militant loyalism from an early age, Michael Stone, 50, joined the infamous loyalist Tartan Gang at the age of 13 and by the age of 16 he had already been held in Belfast’s Crumlin Road jail for possession of firearms and membership of the Ulster Defence Association.

One of the North’s most notorious killers Michael Stone has forced the suspension of the Stormont Assembly today after claiming he had thrown a bomb into Parliament Buildings.

The murder of a top loyalist paramilitary was as barbaric as anything inflicted by the notorious Shankill Butchers gang 30 years ago, a Belfast inquest heard today.

Ousted loyalist paramilitary chief Ihab Shoukri has been charged with terrorist offences.

Margaret Thatcher was warned the British Army suspected the Ulster Defence Regiment was heavily infiltrated by Protestant extremists in the North four years before she became UK Prime Minister, it was claimed today.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain was today accused of insulting the Dáil after he and his officials criticised a debate on the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane.

Members of the Dáil are to debate a motion calling for the establishment by the British government of a proper inquiry into the murder of a Belfast solicitor.

Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is seeking to have top loyalist Ihab Shoukri sent back to prison, it was revealed tonight.

Eleven men are due to appear in court today charged in connection with an alleged loyalist "show of strength" in Belfast.

LOYALIST mass murderer and suspected police agent Torrens Knight was paid £50,000 (€73,186) a year after being released from jail, it was claimed yesterday.

A loyalist killer and suspected police agent was paid £50,000 (€73,193) a year after being released from jail, it was claimed today.

LOYALIST killer Torrens Knight was a double agent shielded by the Special Branch before he murdered eight people in the Greysteel massacre, SDLP Assembly member John Dallat claimed yesterday.

A former Sinn Féin mayor of Belfast was today released from hospital after receiving treatment over Christmas for a minor heart attack.

The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane are to press for a meeting with the Reverend Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists as part of their campaign for an inquiry acceptable to them, they revealed tonight.

A convicted loyalist murderer, released early under the Good Friday Agreement, was tonight facing the prospect of serving out eight life sentences for his involvement in a 1993 atrocity, after being convicted of taking part in a knife attack at a football match.

Former Ulster Defence Association (UDA) paramilitary Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair today walked free from court after he admitted assaulting his wife.

A former associate of ousted UDA chief Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair was assassinated at a spot where he had been taken by his killer two days earlier, a court heard today.

A leading loyalist went on trial today charged with murdering a lieutenant of Johnny Adair during a bitter feud within the Ulster Defence Association.

No drinks were on the house in true blue Sandy Row today.

LOYALIST paramilitary chief John Gregg feared he was going to be assassinated, a Belfast inquest heard yesterday.

Dan McGinn

New legislation for an inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane could be used to suppress the truth in all future public inquiries, it was claimed today.

The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has ruled out participating in the British government's inquiry into his killing in 1989.

The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane tonight ruled out taking part in the British government’s inquiry into his controversial killing if legislation setting it up remained the same.

The British government’s recognition of the Ulster Defence Association’s ceasefire officially came into effect today.

Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary group The Ulster Defence Association today pledged to end all violence and work towards complete disarmament.

MPs will be urged in Westminster today to oppose legislation affecting an inquiry into the controversial murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

THE family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane yesterday threatened to boycott an inquiry into his death after meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane today threatened to boycott an inquiry into his death after meeting Tony Blair.