Ulster Army Council
Encyclopedia
The Ulster Army Council (or UAC) was set up in 1973 as an umbrella group by the Ulster Defence Association
and the Ulster Volunteer Force to co-ordinate joint paramilitary operations during the Loyalist strike. Andy Tyrie
was the head of the group - and was also the then commander of the Ulster Defence Association
.
The following groups along with the UDA and UVF were members of the Ulster Army Council, the Orange Volunteers
, Down Orange Welfare
, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, Ulster Volunteer Service Corps and Red Hand Commandos
.
The main aim of the group was to set-up a Loyalist army of around 20,000 men to take control of Northern Ireland
if necessary, to prevent any attempt of the re-Unification of Ireland, in which the group planned to seize control of Northern Ireland and declare a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). The group was replaced by the Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee
(ULCCC) after the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council Strike
.
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 Volunteer Force to co-ordinate joint paramilitary operations during the Loyalist strike. Andy Tyrie
Andy Tyrie
Andrew "Andy" Tyrie is an Ulster loyalist and served as commander of the Ulster Defence Association during much of its early history...
was the head of the group - and was also the then commander of 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"...
.
The following groups along with the UDA and UVF were members of the Ulster Army Council, the Orange Volunteers
Orange Volunteers
The Orange Volunteers or Orange Volunteer Force is an Ulster loyalist and Protestant fundamentalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland.-Origins:...
, Down Orange Welfare
Down Orange Welfare
Down Orange Welfare was an loyalist paramilitary vigilante group active in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. Active in rural areas of County Down, the group faded after failing to win support away from larger paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association.The group was established in...
, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, Ulster Volunteer Service Corps and Red Hand Commandos
Red Hand Commandos
The Red Hand Commando is a small loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland, which is closely linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force...
.
The main aim of the group was to set-up a Loyalist army of around 20,000 men to take control of Northern Ireland
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...
if necessary, to prevent any attempt of the re-Unification of Ireland, in which the group planned to seize control of Northern Ireland and declare a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). The group was replaced by the Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee
Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee
The Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee was set up in 1974 in the aftermath of the Ulster Workers Council Strike, in order to facilitate meetings and policy co-ordination between the Ulster Workers Council, the loyalist paramilitaries and the political representatives of...
(ULCCC) after the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council Strike
Ulster Workers' Council Strike
The Ulster Workers' Council strike was a general strike that took place in Northern Ireland between 15 May and 28 May 1974, during "The Troubles". The strike was called by loyalists and unionists who were against the Sunningdale Agreement, which had been signed in December 1973...
.