UDA members turned out in force yesterday for the funeral of Mr Robert Carson, who was gunned down alongside the east Antrim UDA "brigadier", Mr John Gregg, in Belfast's docks area at the weekend.
Mourners included the four remaining members of the UDA inner council: Mr Jim Gray from east Belfast, who was injured in a feud incident last autumn; Mr Billy McFarlane from north Antrim and Derry; Mr Jackie McDonald from south Belfast; and Mr Andre Shoukri of north Belfast.
They were joined by thousands of loyalists who attended the funeral at Mr Carson's home in the Rathcoole estate on the outskirts of north Belfast. His family had asked for no paramilitary trappings.
Among those following the coffin was Mr "Mo" Courtney, a former ally of Johnny Adair, whose C company has been blamed for carrying out Saturday night's double murder.
The UDA's leadership has warned remaining members of Adair's Shankill Road grouping to leave his unit or face the consequences. There are fears that the feud, which has already claimed seven lives, will escalate after today's paramilitary-style funeral of Mr Gregg.
Among a trailer of floral tributes were wreaths from the UDA, the Loyalist Prisoners' Association (LPA) and the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), the loyalist political grouping.
Behind the coffin walked Mr Carson's wife, Eileen, and his six-year-old daughter, Courtney, who carried a single flower.
Lining the route were marshals wearing black ties with the distinctive UDA crest and motto.
The cortege slowly made its way past a large mural showing two black-hooded UDA men carrying guns. One of the coffin-bearers was Mr Sammy Duddy, a spokesman for the UPRG whose house has been attacked a number of times by followers of Adair.
The mourners followed the coffin for about a quarter of a mile before it was taken to nearby Carnmoney Cemetery for burial.
Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, adds: Mr John White, a close associate of Adair, said in a TV interview yesterday he was "indifferent" about Mr Gregg's murder. Mr White was expelled from the mainstream UDA last autumn along with Mr Adair.