Guns were hidden in network of houses and men were in place in case of confrontation
More than 1,500 men lined the lower Newtownards Road last Saturday evening in what was a warning shot to the deposed East Belfast leadership.
It was one of the largest shows of strength seen in recent years, and while it passed without incident the Sunday World can reveal how close it came to open warfare.
We understand a plan of action was in place should things turn ugly. Men were primed and ready and it is understood they had access to weapons.
Guns were placed in a network of houses across the Lower Newtownards Road in preparation for a confrontation.
The Shankill leadership ordered men from across Northern Ireland to show up in a statement of intent. Bus-loads of members gathered in the Lower Newtownards Road before forming a corridor as a parade passed through.
Veteran members are understood to be furious the annual parade in memory of UVF man Robert ‘Squeak’ Seymour had been “weaponised”.
Seymour was a UVF commander in the east of the city who was murdered by the IRA in 1988.
He had been sentenced to life on the word a supergrass for shooting Provo James “Skipper’’ Burns seven years previously, although his conviction was overturned on appeal.
Robert ‘Squeak’ Seymour
Well-placed sources told the Sunday World that the Shankill leadership’s decision to flood east Belfast on Seymour’s anniversary has hardened attitudes.
“If they thought this would turn people against East Belfast UVF they were sadly mistaken, it has only enforced support for the East,” said our source.
Last November the Shankill stood down the eight-man command structure in the east including alleged Brigadier Stephen Matthews, but rather than isolate Matthews, Saturday’s show of strength has only bolstered his position.
Stephen Matthews
Matthews was on the Newtownards Road at the time of the parade and was seen shaking hands with a number of white-shirted UVF men as he made his way to the Con Club where he was presenting end of season awards for East Belfast Football Club of which he is manager.
East Belfast members have told the Sunday World they were aware of the Shankill’s plans a week in advance and had made plans accordingly.
Weapons were placed in strategic locations with men ready to move at the first hint of trouble.
“Matthews was walking up the street and people were coming out of their houses to shake his hand, who the f**k do the Shankill think they are that they can come over and take over east Belfast?” said our source.
“The Shankill has s**t in the bed, this was a big mistake, the East are going nowhere and they are ready for whatever the Shankill want to do.”
A number of senior Shankill UVF figures are regular drinkers at a social club in the east of the city in what are called the Sunday Club and the Monday Club, and are understood to be distancing themselves from the Shankill show of strength.
The event for Robert ‘Squeak’ Seymour
The Sunday World has spoken to a number of sources, all of whom have indicated there is no appetite for violence or a feud but East Belfast UVF is prepared to defend its territory.
The show of strength was the brainchild of UVF second in command Harmless Harry Stockman who also ordered the purge of the East leadership last autumn.
It was intended to be a demonstration of support for the new command structure they put in place under the leadership of a veteran combatant.
“If that was the intention, it failed miserably,” said our source.
“The new Brigadier could only muster about 20 men.”
A memorial service was held at Seymour’s graveside at Roselawn Cemetery before the parade when an estimated 400 veterans turned up to pay their respects.
Among those who attended were all surviving commanders and brigadiers from the east dating back to the 70s.
Sources have told us that men in their 80s attended in a show of defiance against the Shankill leadership.
Men paint pro-East Belfast UVF messages after the show of strength
At a breakfast after Roselawn veterans presented Matthews with an engraved presentation, in stark contrast to a speech given by a Shankill figure after the parade in which he described the East as a drug cartel. “Squeak wasn’t even mentioned, it was disgrace… but the Shankill coming in here and taking over the area has crossed the line.
“Matthews… is no longer Brigadier but his support has grown because of this, he’s in a stronger position than ever.”
Another source told us there is a widespread belief that last Saturday was the work of the British government. UVF chief John ‘Bunter’ Graham is under pressure to move the UVF away from crime and has issued an edict against drug dealers.
orders
“The Shankill is the right arm of the MI5 or MI6, whatever they do is on the orders of the British government,” our source said.
Winston ‘Winky’ Irvine at the mass commemoration
Among those present at the show of strength was alleged UVF commander Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine who is currently facing gun charges. He was pictured in a white shirt and black tie as the UVF lined the streets.
The confrontation has left the Shankill leadership with a major problem as sources say Matthews has emerged from Saturday stronger rather than weaker.
“The ball is in their court, what do they do next, they’ve tried to cut off the East and put in a new leadership and it has backfired big style,” said our source.
“The East will sit back and wait, this was the biggest own goal ever.”