Down Orange Welfare

Down Orange Welfare was an Ulster loyalist paramilitary vigilante group active in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. Operating in rural areas of County Down, the group faded after failing to win support away from larger groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Founding

The group was established in 1972 by its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Brush and his deputy Herbert Heslip, both members of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).[1] Claiming to be linked to the Orange Order, the group was said to have 5,000 trained activists, many of whom were serving members of the security forces and former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary, commonly referred to as the "B Specials".[1] The group, which was highly conservative and élitist in nature, was strongest amongst the farming community of North Down.[2] There were also a number of local small businessmen involved.[3]

The stated aim of Down Orange Welfare was to oppose both the growth of both Irish republicanism and socialism.[2] As such it has been portrayed as a "doomsday outfit" preparing itself to oppose any anticipated nationalist rebellion.[4] It formed part of the umbrella Ulster Army Council that was established in 1973.[5] It also established contact with the National Front, a group that was also close to the Ulster Volunteer Force at the time.[6]

It was active in the Ulster Workers' Council strike of May 1974 and members of the group blocked roads during the ensuing protests.[7] They were also involved in the less successful United Unionist Action Council (UUAC) strike of 1977.[1] The group declined after this second strike and disappeared soon afterwards.[2] Brush would disappear from public view along with the movement.[8]

UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade

According to Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Patrol Group officer John Weir, the group had engaged in manufacturing weapons for the UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade, which was commanded from 1975 to the early 1990s by Robin Jackson.[9] Jackson had taken over as leader when the brigade's founder, Billy Hanna was shot to death outside his home in Lurgan; the killing was allegedly perpetrated by Jackson.[10] The weapons were transferred to the UVF through the medium of several RUC officers based at Newry station, including Weir.[9] Weir alleged that he personally received two Sterling submachine guns from Down Orange Welfare which he then handed over to the Mid-Ulster Brigade. The weapons had been made in Spa, County Down by the group who were at the time in the process of manufacturing an M1 carbine. Weir also claimed that Chief Superintendent Harry Breen was a member of Down Orange Welfare and had been present when he was given the guns.[9] These allegations against Breen are staunchly denied by his former RUC colleagues.[11]

Weir was convicted in 1980 of the murder of Catholic chemist William Strathearn which had taken place in 1977.[9] Harry Breen was one of two RUC officers killed in a Provisional IRA ambush outside Jonesborough, County Armagh in March 1989.

Despite its overt militancy, Down Orange Welfare was never directly involved in any killing nor were any attacks ever attributed to the group.[3]

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References
  1. Abstracts on Organisations - 'D'
  2. Peter Barberis, John McHugh, Mike Tyldesley, Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations: Parties, Groups and Movements of the 20th century, Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000, p. 213
  3. "Religion and Violence: the Case of Paisley and Ulster Evangelicals". The Irish Association - Paper presented by Steve Bruce. UK: University of Aberdeen. 11 October 2003 Retrieved 25 June 2012
  4. Ed Moloney, Paisley: From Demagogue to Democrat?, Poolbeg, 2008, p. 259
  5. Abstracts on Organisations - 'U'
  6. Nigel Fielding, The National Front, Taylor & Francis, 1981, p. 182
  7. W.D. Flackes & Sydney Elliott, Northern Ireland: A Political Directory 1968-1993, The Blackstaff Press, 1994, p. 141
  8. Ciarán Ó Maoláin, The Radical Right: A World Directory, Longman, 1987, p. 334
  9. "Seeing Red", John Weir's affidavit, statement by John Weir, 03.01.99 Archived June 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 18 December 2011
  10. Tiernan, Joe (2000). The Dublin Bombings and the Murder Triangle. Ireland: Mercier Press. pp.110-111
  11. "Did Gardai collude with the IRA in RUC men's murder?". Sunday Tribune. Suzanne Breen. 11 September 2007 Retrieved 25 June 2012
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