Tommy Kirkham
Encyclopedia
Tommy Kirkham is a Northern Ireland
loyalist
political figure and former councillor. He was previously associated with the Ulster Defence Association
and the Ulster Political Research Group
although he has since been expelled from both groups. He was a former deputy mayor of Newtownabbey
and was elected to the post with support from the Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP). He sat on Newtownabbey Borough Council
as an Independent Loyalist.
when he was elected to Newtownabbey Borough Council
as a DUP councillor. However he lost his seat at the 1993 local elections
.
, based in Rathcoole
and stood as the party's candidate in a February 1995 by-election in Rathcoole but was unsuccessful but returned to the council at the 1997 local elections
. In 2001 when the UDP was dissolved and the UDA Inner Council decided to bring back the UPRG they chose Kirkham as one of the new faces to front the group. He became a leading spokesman for the UPRG whilst also serving as an independent on Newtownabbey Borough Council (with the UPRG not registered as a political party). He is registered as the leader of the Ulster Protestant League
, although it is unclear whether or not this organisation exists beyond Kirkham, who is labelled as an Independent Unionist in Newtownabbey. Kirkham lost his seat on the council in the 2011 elections.
Along with Frank McCoubrey
and Frankie Gallagher
, Kirham was one of the UPRG's three leading UPRG spokesmen and had been responsible for delivering statements from the UDA. As part of this three man group he met with Irish
Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern
in 2004, along with UDA leader Jackie McDonald
and prisoners' spokesman Stanley Fletcher, in a meeting he described as 'historic, productive and amicable'. He was also involved in an initiative to move loyalism away from racism
, joining David Ervine
in backing the Loyalist Commission-led scheme that started up in response to allegations of links between the UDA and Combat 18
and the involvement of the Ulster Volunteer Force in attacks on Belfast
's Chinese
community.
During the internal struggles within the UDA in late 2002 with regards to the attempts to expel Johnny Adair
, Kirkham followed the orthodox anti-Adair line as espoused by his close friend John 'Grug' Gregg
. As a consequence of this position his Carnmoney home was targeted for a gun attack by Adair's supporters over Christmas 2002, although no one was injured in the assault.
He remained an important spokesman for the UPRG, particularly following the removal of Johnny Adair in early 2003, and in February of that year it was Kirkham who was chosen to read a statement from the UDA leadership in which they announced an indefinite extension to their ceasefire.
with one of the UDA's six brigades, the South East Antrim Brigade
where the UDA had drifted from the leadership. Kirkham became head of a new group which he called Beyond Conflict and, as leader of this group, asked for £8 million of government money in order to transform the group into a development agency. However whilst the government did eventually pledge money to the UPRG no funding was extended to Kirkham's group.
Kirkham's split from the mainstream of the UPRG and UDA would be widened in 2007. The UDA faced a potential feud
over the activities of renegade brigadier Andre Shoukri, who was, ironically given Kirkham's previous position, an associate of dissident Johnny Adair, until the movement expelled him in 2007. Kirkham however, as leader of the south-east Antrim brigade of the UDA, supported Shoukri in his struggles with the UDA leadership and a stand-off between Kirkham and the leaders developed. This came to a head in March 2007 when the expulsion was extended to Kirkham and his associated Gary Fisher. Kirkham reacted to the move by vowing to remain in his area. Later that same year Kirkham's assistant Jon McDowell outed himself as a Special Branch
agent.
Kirkham remains as head of Beyond Conflict and has argued that the group has undertaken eight steps towards demilitarisation, including ending paramilitary
activity in his area, working with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning
and working on cultural diversity programmes.
In December 2010 Kirkham gave evidence at a historical murder trial of a Catholic killed in Belfast in 1973.Kirkham was threatened with arrest if he did not appear at the trial.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
loyalist
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
political figure and former councillor. He was previously associated with the Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
and the Ulster Political Research Group
Ulster Political Research Group
The Ulster Political Research Group is an advisory body connected to the Ulster Defence Association , providing advice to them on political matters...
although he has since been expelled from both groups. He was a former deputy mayor of Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
and was elected to the post with support from the Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
(DUP). He sat on Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Newtownabbey has a population of over 80,000 and is on the north shore of Belfast Lough just immediately north of Belfast. The Borough was founded in 1958 as a result of an Act of Parliament passed in 1957 and...
as an Independent Loyalist.
DUP Councillor
Kirkham entered politics in 1989Northern Ireland local elections, 1989
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland in 1989.-Background:The elections took place after a turbulent period in Northern Irish politics. The signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in November 1985 had been followed by widespread protests by those in the Unionist community...
when he was elected to Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Newtownabbey has a population of over 80,000 and is on the north shore of Belfast Lough just immediately north of Belfast. The Borough was founded in 1958 as a result of an Act of Parliament passed in 1957 and...
as a DUP councillor. However he lost his seat at the 1993 local elections
Northern Ireland local elections, 1993
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 19 May 1993.-Overall:-Belfast:-References:...
.
UPRG activity
Kirkham then became a member of the Ulster Democratic PartyUlster Democratic Party
The Ulster Democratic Party was a small loyalist political party in Northern Ireland. It was established in June 1981 as the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party by the Ulster Defence Association to replace their New Ulster Political Research Group...
, based in Rathcoole
Rathcoole (Belfast)
Rathcoole is a housing estate in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was built in the 1950s to house many of those displaced by the demolition of inner city housing in Belfast city...
and stood as the party's candidate in a February 1995 by-election in Rathcoole but was unsuccessful but returned to the council at the 1997 local elections
Northern Ireland local elections, 1997
Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 21 May 1997, shortly after the 1997 general election across the entire United Kingdom.-Overall:-Belfast:-References:...
. In 2001 when the UDP was dissolved and the UDA Inner Council decided to bring back the UPRG they chose Kirkham as one of the new faces to front the group. He became a leading spokesman for the UPRG whilst also serving as an independent on Newtownabbey Borough Council (with the UPRG not registered as a political party). He is registered as the leader of the Ulster Protestant League
Ulster Protestant League
The Ulster Protestant League can refer to:*Ulster Protestant League *Ulster Protestant League , associated with George Seawright*A registered party led by Tommy Kirkham, formerly of the Ulster Political Research Group...
, although it is unclear whether or not this organisation exists beyond Kirkham, who is labelled as an Independent Unionist in Newtownabbey. Kirkham lost his seat on the council in the 2011 elections.
Along with Frank McCoubrey
Frank McCoubrey
Frank McCoubrey is a Unionist politician and loyalist in Northern Ireland, as well as a community activist and researcher. He is a leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group and a member of Belfast City Council, representing the Court area...
and Frankie Gallagher
Frankie Gallagher
Frankie Gallagher is a loyalist politician from Northern Ireland and leading spokesman for the Ulster Political Research Group which offers political advice to the Ulster Defence Association .-Work with UPRG:...
, Kirham was one of the UPRG's three leading UPRG spokesmen and had been responsible for delivering statements from the UDA. As part of this three man group he met with Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
in 2004, along with UDA leader Jackie McDonald
Jackie McDonald
John "Jackie" McDonald is a senior Northern Irish loyalist and the incumbent Ulster Defence Association brigadier for South Belfast, having been promoted to the rank by former UDA commander Andy Tyrie in 1988, following John McMichael's killing by the Provisional IRA in December 1987...
and prisoners' spokesman Stanley Fletcher, in a meeting he described as 'historic, productive and amicable'. He was also involved in an initiative to move loyalism away from racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, joining David Ervine
David Ervine
David Ervine was a Northern Irish politician and the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party .-Biography:...
in backing the Loyalist Commission-led scheme that started up in response to allegations of links between the UDA and Combat 18
Combat 18
Combat 18 is a violent neo-Nazi organisation associated with Blood and Honour. It originated in the United Kingdom, but has since spread to other countries. Members of Combat 18 have been suspected in numerous deaths of immigrants, non-whites, and other C18 members...
and the involvement of the Ulster Volunteer Force in attacks on Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
's Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
community.
During the internal struggles within the UDA in late 2002 with regards to the attempts to expel Johnny Adair
Johnny Adair
Jonathan Adair, better known as Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair is the former leader of the "C Company", 2nd Battalion Shankill Road, West Belfast Brigade of the "Ulster Freedom Fighters" . This was a cover name used by the Ulster Defence Association , an Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation...
, Kirkham followed the orthodox anti-Adair line as espoused by his close friend John 'Grug' Gregg
John Gregg (UDA)
John Gregg was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist organisation in Northern Ireland. From the 1990s until his shooting death by rival associates, he served as brigadier of its South East Antrim Brigade...
. As a consequence of this position his Carnmoney home was targeted for a gun attack by Adair's supporters over Christmas 2002, although no one was injured in the assault.
He remained an important spokesman for the UPRG, particularly following the removal of Johnny Adair in early 2003, and in February of that year it was Kirkham who was chosen to read a statement from the UDA leadership in which they announced an indefinite extension to their ceasefire.
Split and Beyond Conflict
Kirkham eventually split from the UPRG and made his power base in South East AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
with one of the UDA's six brigades, the South East Antrim Brigade
UDA South East Antrim Brigade
The UDA South East Antrim Brigade was one of the six paramilitaries of the Ulster Defence Association . It operated in County Antrim, mainly in Newtownabbey, Larne and Antrim. The Guardian has identified it as "one of the most dangerous factions"...
where the UDA had drifted from the leadership. Kirkham became head of a new group which he called Beyond Conflict and, as leader of this group, asked for £8 million of government money in order to transform the group into a development agency. However whilst the government did eventually pledge money to the UPRG no funding was extended to Kirkham's group.
Kirkham's split from the mainstream of the UPRG and UDA would be widened in 2007. The UDA faced a potential feud
Loyalist feud
A loyalist feud refers to any of the sporadic feuds which have erupted almost routinely between Northern Ireland's various loyalist paramilitary groups since they were founded shortly before and after the religious/political conflict known as The Troubles broke out in the late 1960s...
over the activities of renegade brigadier Andre Shoukri, who was, ironically given Kirkham's previous position, an associate of dissident Johnny Adair, until the movement expelled him in 2007. Kirkham however, as leader of the south-east Antrim brigade of the UDA, supported Shoukri in his struggles with the UDA leadership and a stand-off between Kirkham and the leaders developed. This came to a head in March 2007 when the expulsion was extended to Kirkham and his associated Gary Fisher. Kirkham reacted to the move by vowing to remain in his area. Later that same year Kirkham's assistant Jon McDowell outed himself as a Special Branch
Special Branch
Special Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces, as well as in the Royal Thai Police...
agent.
Kirkham remains as head of Beyond Conflict and has argued that the group has undertaken eight steps towards demilitarisation, including ending paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
activity in his area, working with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning
Independent International Commission on Decommissioning
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning was established to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons in Northern Ireland, as part of the peace process.-Legislation and organisation:...
and working on cultural diversity programmes.
In December 2010 Kirkham gave evidence at a historical murder trial of a Catholic killed in Belfast in 1973.Kirkham was threatened with arrest if he did not appear at the trial.
See also
- Ulster Political Research GroupUlster Political Research GroupThe Ulster Political Research Group is an advisory body connected to the Ulster Defence Association , providing advice to them on political matters...
- UDA South East Antrim BrigadeUDA South East Antrim BrigadeThe UDA South East Antrim Brigade was one of the six paramilitaries of the Ulster Defence Association . It operated in County Antrim, mainly in Newtownabbey, Larne and Antrim. The Guardian has identified it as "one of the most dangerous factions"...
- Ulster Defence AssociationUlster Defence AssociationThe Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
- Shoukri brothers