Mad Dog expected to flee to Spain

Alan Erwin and Deric Henderson

Just hours after he was flown to Manchester by military helicopter, sworn enemies believed it was just a stop-off on his way to a new life.

Former paramilitary associates will try to kill him if he ever sets foot in the North again, senior loyalists warned.

One who suspected Adair may have agreed to inform on their operations in return for protection predicted he will gather his cash and head for Spain.

"If Johnny has done the deal everyone assumes, he will not even stay in England for long. He'll be out of the country if he has any sense," he said.

Adair, 39, had been held in near solitary confinement for his own safety at the high-security Maghaberry Jail near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

He travelled to Bolton to be reunited with his wife Gina as she recovers from cancer.

Amid deepening fears in the town that his presence could trigger rising crime levels, police spoke to him to warn against establishing underworld connections. Bolton Chief Superintendent Dave Lea pledged to use intelligence networks to protect the public against any surge in racketeering.

"We welcome anyone to Bolton or Greater Manchester if their intention is to lead a responsible law-abiding life," he said. "However, should people engage in anti-social behaviour or choose not to abide by the law we will tackle them using all available legislation. My officers will not allow people to break the law, no matter who they are."

Adair ran the Ulster Defence Association's West Belfast Brigade a ruthless unit responsible for dozens of murders.

Even after he was convicted of directing terrorism in 1995, the shaven-headed, heavily tattooed paramilitary continued to strike fear into the hearts of Catholics.

But with two-thirds of his 16-year sentence completed, he was released days earlier than expected when prison authorities agreed to a temporary parole move.

It was the third time he has been freed. Under the Good Friday Agreement and again in May 2002 he strutted through the prison gates to a triumphant reception from hundreds of waiting loyalists.

This time, however, there was no fanfare as he slipped out of the country unnoticed. Prison chiefs were not prepared to take any risks with a man who former comrades have pledged to kill. They blame him for igniting a vicious feud that claimed several lives, including that of his rival UDA commander John Gregg.

Northern Secretary Paul Murphy ordered Adair to be sent back to prison in January 2003 as the power-struggle between his C Company faction and the rest of the UDA turned violent.

Days later, Gregg was gunned down near Belfast docks as he returned from a Glasgow Rangers football match. Members of Adair's brigade blamed for the killing were later routed and forced to flee their Shankill Road powerbase.

Adair's one-time close friend John White, a convicted double murderer who was once a key figure in the UDA's political wing, escaped Northern Ireland with Adair's wife and family, as well as 20 other supporters in the aftermath of the Gregg killing in February 2003.

Mrs Adair and their four children moved to Bolton last year to avoid the loyalist in-fighting in Belfast. Her teenage son Jonathan was jailed last year for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.