William Borland (loyalist)
Encyclopedia
William John "Bonzer" Borland (born c. 1969) is a Northern Irish
former footballer and loyalist
activist. He came to prominence in the early years of the 21st century when he served as leader of the North Belfast Brigade of the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA) and, as such, one of the six commanders of the movement as a whole.
, the most successful club in the history of the Irish Football League. He also represented Cliftonville F.C.
, a club associated with the nationalist
community in north Belfast
.
Borland joined the UDA's North Belfast brigade and became close to Andre Shoukri
. In 2000 he was arrested along with Shoukri and his brother Ihab on charges of extortion relating to a Catholic-owned DIY shop in Glengormley
on the outskirts of north Belfast. Borland would ultimately serve a brief prison sentence for his involvement in this incident.
the previous year, was given a two year prison sentence for possessing a gun. According to UDA rules this meant he had to vacate his position as Brigaider, with his brother Ihab assuming the position. However Ihab Shoukri was also arrested, along with Mo Courtney
, for the murder of Alan McCullough, a former member of Johnny Adair
's C Company who was killed by the UDA after returning from exile in Bolton
despite supposedly having received assurances of his safety from UDA leadership. The Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI) announced that Borland had succeeded the Shoukris as the North Belfast brigadier in September 2003 and suggested that he had ordered a series of attacks against the homes of Catholic residents on the Deerpark Road, an area sandwiched between the loyalist Glenbryn and republican Ardoyne
areas. Three families were driven from the area in the first week of attacks, including an elderly Protestant woman who was targeted after speaking out in support of her Catholic neighbours. The incident helped set the tone for Borland's time in charge as his reign was characterised by a growing climate of fear, with the UDA's popularity amongst north Belfast's Protestants falling very low as a result.
Borland's position as leader was not wholly secure however and Simpson saw in his appointment an opportunity to make a comeback of his own. Simpson began a whispering campaign against Borland, questioning his credentials for leadership and suggesting that he had done nothing of note during the Troubles
. On 13 October 2003 a team of around forty UDA members loyal to Simpson travelled up Borland's native Crumlin Road
to attack homes and premises in the Glenbryn and Ballysillan areas in order to launch Simpson's bid for reclaiming the leadership. However the security forces had prior warning of what was to happen and a combined operation by the police and army quickly defused the situation and killed off Simpson's rebellion. In order to ensure compliance Borland had a number of the rebels subjected to punishment shootings
.
For the Twelfth
in July 2004 Borland led a group of UDA members past the Ardoyne shops as followers of a contentious Orange Order parade at the interface area, despite the Parades Commission
stating that the march could only pass the shops without followers. His involvement in the parade led to the Social Democratic and Labour Party
's Martin Morgan
threatening to resign from the Northern Ireland Policing Board
after accusing the PSNI of ignoring the rulings of the Parades Commission due to Borland being allowed to march.
In November 2005 Borland was arrested, along with Andre Shoukri, on charges of extortion. Borland and Shoukri had been recorded attempting to extort money from a worker at a local bar, Bonaparte's, whilst Borland faced separate charges of intimidating a second person and demanding the bars keys, books and cheque books whilst possessing of a gun. According to evidence at the trial the extortion had been ongoing and early in the year the bar manager's husband had been lured to a meeting with Shoukri and Borland where they put a gun to his head.
Borland has subsequently been released and was pictured in The Irish News
with Andre Shoukri attending an event to commemorate dead loyalists in north Belfast on Remembrance Day
2011.
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...
former footballer and 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...
activist. He came to prominence in the early years of the 21st century when he served as leader of the North Belfast Brigade 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"...
(UDA) and, as such, one of the six commanders of the movement as a whole.
Early years
In his youth Borland was a talented footballer and he had been on the books of Linfield F.C.Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
, the most successful club in the history of the Irish Football League. He also represented Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
, a club associated with the nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
community in north 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...
.
Borland joined the UDA's North Belfast brigade and became close to Andre Shoukri
Andre Shoukri
TheShoukri brothers are a pair of Egyptian-Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary members. Andre Khalef Shoukri was born in 1977, the son of a Coptic Christian Egyptian father and a Northern Irish mother. He was alleged to have taken over the north Belfast Ulster Defence Association leadership...
. In 2000 he was arrested along with Shoukri and his brother Ihab on charges of extortion relating to a Catholic-owned DIY shop in Glengormley
Glengormley
Glengormley or Glengormly is the name of a townland and electoral ward in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Glengormley is within the urban area called Newtownabbey and the wider Newtownabbey Borough.-Location:...
on the outskirts of north Belfast. Borland would ultimately serve a brief prison sentence for his involvement in this incident.
Brigadier
In 2003 the North Belfast Brigade experienced a rapid turnover in leadership. Andre Shoukri, who had only succeeded Jimbo SimpsonJimbo Simpson
James "Jimbo" Simpson, also known as the Bacardi Brigadier, is a Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary. He is most noted for his time as Brigadier of the North Belfast Ulster Defence Association...
the previous year, was given a two year prison sentence for possessing a gun. According to UDA rules this meant he had to vacate his position as Brigaider, with his brother Ihab assuming the position. However Ihab Shoukri was also arrested, along with Mo Courtney
Mo Courtney
William "Mo" Courntey was an Ulster Defence Association activist. He was a leading figure in Johnny Adair's C Company, one of the most active sections of the UDA, before later falling out with Adair and serving as West Belfast brigadier.-Early years:In the late 1970s and early 1980s Courtney was...
, for the murder of Alan McCullough, a former member of 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...
's C Company who was killed by the UDA after returning from exile in Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
despite supposedly having received assurances of his safety from UDA leadership. The Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
(PSNI) announced that Borland had succeeded the Shoukris as the North Belfast brigadier in September 2003 and suggested that he had ordered a series of attacks against the homes of Catholic residents on the Deerpark Road, an area sandwiched between the loyalist Glenbryn and republican Ardoyne
Ardoyne
Ardoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic district in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants...
areas. Three families were driven from the area in the first week of attacks, including an elderly Protestant woman who was targeted after speaking out in support of her Catholic neighbours. The incident helped set the tone for Borland's time in charge as his reign was characterised by a growing climate of fear, with the UDA's popularity amongst north Belfast's Protestants falling very low as a result.
Borland's position as leader was not wholly secure however and Simpson saw in his appointment an opportunity to make a comeback of his own. Simpson began a whispering campaign against Borland, questioning his credentials for leadership and suggesting that he had done nothing of note during the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. On 13 October 2003 a team of around forty UDA members loyal to Simpson travelled up Borland's native Crumlin Road
Crumlin Road
The Crumlin Road is a main road in north-west Belfast, Northern Ireland. The road runs from north of Belfast City Centre for about four miles to the outskirts of the city. It also forms part of the longer A52 road.-Lower Crumlin Road:...
to attack homes and premises in the Glenbryn and Ballysillan areas in order to launch Simpson's bid for reclaiming the leadership. However the security forces had prior warning of what was to happen and a combined operation by the police and army quickly defused the situation and killed off Simpson's rebellion. In order to ensure compliance Borland had a number of the rebels subjected to punishment shootings
Summary justice
Summary justice refers to the trial and punishment of suspected offenders without recourse to a more formal and protracted trial under the legal system...
.
For the Twelfth
The Twelfth
The Twelfth is a yearly Protestant celebration held on 12 July. It originated in Ireland during the 18th century. It celebrates the Glorious Revolution and victory of Protestant king William of Orange over Catholic king James II at the Battle of the Boyne...
in July 2004 Borland led a group of UDA members past the Ardoyne shops as followers of a contentious Orange Order parade at the interface area, despite the Parades Commission
Parades Commission
The Parades Commission is a quasi-judicial non-departmental public body responsible for placing restrictions on or banning outright any parades in Northern Ireland it deems contentious or offensive. It is composed of seven members, all of whom are appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern...
stating that the march could only pass the shops without followers. His involvement in the parade led to the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
's Martin Morgan
Martin Morgan
Martin Morgan is a former Northern Irish politician for the Social Democratic and Labour Party .Married to Dympna, a double graduate from the Queen's University of Belfast and a qualified Master's Level Social Worker, Morgan was a political activist from his teenage years onwards.A former...
threatening to resign from the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Northern Ireland Policing Board
The Northern Ireland Policing Board is the police authority for Northern Ireland, charged with supervising the activities of the Police Service of Northern Ireland...
after accusing the PSNI of ignoring the rulings of the Parades Commission due to Borland being allowed to march.
Shoukri's deputy
Andre Shoukri was released from prison in 2004 and returned to his earlier position of brigadier. According to PSNI reports Borland, who was a close friend and ally of Shoukri, retained a central role in the North Belfast UDA as deputy to Shoukri.In November 2005 Borland was arrested, along with Andre Shoukri, on charges of extortion. Borland and Shoukri had been recorded attempting to extort money from a worker at a local bar, Bonaparte's, whilst Borland faced separate charges of intimidating a second person and demanding the bars keys, books and cheque books whilst possessing of a gun. According to evidence at the trial the extortion had been ongoing and early in the year the bar manager's husband had been lured to a meeting with Shoukri and Borland where they put a gun to his head.
Imprisonment
Borland, who was based in the Sunningdale district of Ballysillan near Carr's Glen at the time of the trial, was given a nine year prison sentence after being found guilty of four charges of blackmail and one of intimidation and firearm possession in late 2007.Borland has subsequently been released and was pictured in The Irish News
The Irish News
The Irish News is a compact-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist in outlook...
with Andre Shoukri attending an event to commemorate dead loyalists in north Belfast on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
2011.