UDA men in paramilitary-style clothing fired a volley of shots yesterday at one of the largest loyalist funerals to be staged in the North.
Thousands of mourners, including UVF and Loyalist Volunteer Force leaders, gathered in Rathcoole, on the outskirts of north Belfast, to pay tribute to the group's south-east Antrim commander.
John Gregg (45) was shot dead in Belfast last weekend, along with associate Robert Carson (33), by supporters of Shankill Road loyalist Johnny Adair. It was the largest loyalist funeral since that of murdered LVF leader Billy Wright five years ago.
After a short private service at Gregg's terraced home in the Rathcoole Estate, UDA men fired three volleys of shots over the coffin.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland had searched some people entering the estate but stayed a long distance from the house. Officers did not attempt to move in to intervene when the shots were fired. Loyalist marshals ensured the media were kept in areas where they were allowed to film and forcibly prevented from entering other areas.
Two lorries carried dozens of wreaths from the UVF, LVF, Young Citizen Volunteers, Red Hand Commando and various UDA brigades. A lone piper led the cortege through the streets.
Gregg's coffin was draped in the Red Hand of Ulster and Ulster Freedom Fighter flags. It was flanked by a guard of honour from the loyalist band for which he had been a drummer.
Among the mourners were Belfast loyalist councillor Mr Frank McCoubrey, and Mr Sammy Duddy and Mr Tommy Kirkham of the Ulster Political Research Group, which provides political analysis for the UDA.
Also present were prominent east Belfast loyalist Mr Jim Gray; south Belfast loyalist Mr Jackie McDonald; Milltown cemetery killer, Mr Michael Stone; and former Adair associate, Mr Winkie Dodds. The presence of prominent UVF and LVF members was seen as a show of solidarity with the mainstream UDA in its feud with Adair's Shankill "C Company".
Hundreds of men in black leather jackets, shirts and ties followed the cortege. Gregg's wife Linda, his sons Stewart and Gary, and his step-daughters, Kelly and Lisa, were consoled by friends and relatives.
The cortege made its way to Carmoney Cemetery, where the UDA leader was buried. Gregg was one of the six UDA brigadiers comprising the organisation's ruling inner council. He served nine years in the Maze prison for attempting to kill Mr Gerry Adams in 1984.
He said his only regret was he had not been successful. In the past two years, his south-east Antrim brigade has been responsible for four sectarian murders and dozens of bomb attacks on Catholic families.
Police sources said he was motivated by sectarian hatred. Gregg was involved in racketeering and other crime. Of all the UDA brigadiers, he was the one most hated by Adair, whom he had plotted to assassinate. The UDA leadership expelled the Shankill commander last autumn. Four people were killed in the ensuing feud.