Notorious loyalist Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair was left isolated today after his family and supporters were driven out of Belfast in a bitter paramilitary feud.
|
|
Police stand guard outside
the home of Johnny Adair |
But, as the remaining Adair loyalists fled their Lower Shankill stronghold, UDA sources vowed the murder of the paramilitary group's south Antrim commander John Gregg would be avenged.
Mr Gregg was killed in a double murder on Saturday in the bitter loyalist feud between Adair's "C Company" and the UDA leadership.
Adair, who is being held in jail, was told his wife Gina and close associate Mr John White were among a group which fled to Scotland after homes were attacked at his former powerbase in the city's Lower Shankill area.
However, loyalist sources in Belfast claimed they could not consider themselves safe in Scotland. One said: "The UDA is right across the UK and I cannot see this being resolved, not just yet. There are outstanding issues.
"It wouldn't matter they went to the Mediterranean. John Gregg is lying in a coffin and that is a disgrace. We know these people have been buying homes in Scotland. Obviously this is what they had been planning for. It is part of the end game."
Dumfries and Galloway Police confirmed said four people on the ferry which arrived at Cairnryan were questioned under the Terrorism Act.
A police spokesman said: "In keeping with normal policing activity, a number of passengers travelling on the sailing which arrived at Cairnryan at 6.10 a.m. this morning were subject to checks under anti-terrorism legislation.
"As a consequence, four individuals were subject to examination under the terms of the Terrorism Act 2000."
Members of Adair's unit deserted him this morning after being warned they would be shot if they did not quit "C Company". It has been at the centre of at least three feuds which left more than a dozen men dead.
Security sources in Belfast confirmed the departure of Adair's wife from the couple's heavily-fortified home at Boundary Way after gangs of men pulled up in cars and started attacking houses late last night. A man was arrested after police returned fire on a gunman.
The streets were littered with bricks and bottles today and Adair's two alsatian dogs sat at the gate. Flags were also ripped down.
Paint was smeared over a "C Company" mural on a nearby gable wall, some of it by Mo Courtney, who is among the men who deserted Adair in the aftermath of the Gregg shooting. He declared: "The feud is now over."
Community representatives also believe the in-fighting may have ended. Pastor Jack McKee said: "There may be people who want to settle old scores, but what we have witnessed in recent days and weeks is finished."
Once the most powerful member of the UDA, Johnny Adair is in Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, now totally isolated by men who used to idolise him.