Latest news with #AndyTyrie
Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Times
Andy Tyrie obituary: UDA leader at height of the Troubles
In two weeks in 1974 Andy Tyrie almost single-handedly brought Northern Ireland to a standstill and stymied the British government's plan to introduce power-sharing. Enraged by the Sunningdale Agreement of 1973, in which the British government gave the Republic of Ireland a say in the affairs of Northern Ireland, the leader of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) co-ordinated the Ulster Workers' Council (UWC) strike, an act of civil disobedience so effective that after two weeks it forced the humiliated British prime minister Harold Wilson to back down. Tyrie himself had no workplace to walk out from as he was drawing the dole. Yet he was never less than busy as the events of the Troubles unfolded. As the commander of Northern Ireland's largest paramilitary force, Tyrie would ultimately be accountable for murder, mayhem, racketeering and the infliction of misery on the lives of many ordinary Catholics and Protestants in the province.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
UDA tried to kill leader Andy Tyrie ‘over links to rogue loyalist'
Exclusive | Late UDA godfather Andy Tyrie was targeted for murder by the terror gang over allegations he was receiving kickbacks from loyalist racketeer Jim Craig. Details of the plot are revealed in prison journals written by Army agent Brian Nelson, who with the help of his handlers shipped South African weapons into Northern Ireland which were used in hundreds of UDA and UVF murders during the 1980s and 1990s.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Funeral of former UDA leader takes place in Dundonald
Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 22/05/2025 Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. The funeral of former loyalist paramilitary leader Andy Tyrie has taken place in Dundonald this afternoon. Family and friends of Tyrie gathered at Dundonald Presbyterian Church for the service which took place earlier following his death at the weekend aged 85. Tyrie was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 22/05/2025 His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. Andy Tyrie Images from the service earlier showed family walking behind the hearse carrying Tyrie's coffin. A funeral notice for Tyrie added that he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. Funeral of former UDA leader Andy Tyrie in Dundonald this morning. The former Loyalist leader passed away last weekend. PACEMAKER BELFAST. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.'
Sunday World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Funeral details announced for former loyalist terror leader Andy Tyrie
Andy Tyrie was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA The funeral of a former loyalist paramilitary leader will take place in Dundonald tomorrow morning following his death at the weekend. Andy Tyrie, who was 85, was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. A funeral notice confirmed his funeral will take place in Dundonald Presbyterian Church at 11am tomorrow. The notice added he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.' Following the announcement of his death at the weekend, tributes were paid to Tyrie. Andy Tyrie Peter Osborne, who chaired the Community Relations Council, posted on X: 'In the years that I knew him Andy Tyrie was an advocate for tolerance, reconciliation, and on those issues that particularly affect working class communities. Sorry to see this. Condolences to his family.' His name had featured on a loyalist museum in east Belfast. The Loyalist Conflict Museum opened its doors in 2012, and was originally called The Andy Tyrie Interpretive Centre. Tyrie's first involvement in loyalist paramilitary activity came with the UVF in the late 1960s, before he switched to the UDA. Soon Tyrie became a UDA officer in the Shankill Road area, and was appointed leader in 1973 after the murder of Tommy Herron. Although not convicted of any paramilitary activity, under his leadership the UDA was widely involved in terrorism. According to the Sutton database of deaths at Ulster University's Cain project, the UDA/UFF was responsible for 260 killings during the Troubles. Most (208) of its victims were civilians, predominantly Catholics. However, Tyrie encouraged the organisation to embrace politics through the establishment of the New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG). He was involved in organising the Ulster Workers' Council strike, which brought down the old power-sharing government. In March 1988, Tyrie narrowly avoided death from a car bomb. No-one admitted responsibility for the failed attack, but Tyrie believed it was carried out by potential successors within the UDA. He quit as leader days later and went on to sever all links with the organisation. Tyrie backed the Ulster Democratic Party's campaign in favour of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Funeral details announced for former UDA leader Andy Tyrie
The funeral of a former loyalist paramilitary leader will take place in Dundonald tomorrow morning following his death at the weekend. Andy Tyrie, who was 85, was one of the most prominent figures from the early years of the UDA. He led the terror group from 1973 until 1988, when an attempt on his life led to him quitting. Tyrie stepped away from politics and the public spotlight some time ago. His tinted glasses and thick moustache made him a recognisable figure during the 1970s and 1980s. It is understood Tyrie had been ill for some time. A funeral notice confirmed his funeral will take place in Dundonald Presbyterian Church at 11am tomorrow. The notice added he 'passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family'. "Cherished Husband of Agnes and much loved Dad of Dorothy (Cole), Andrew (Ann) and Linda (John),' it added. 'A very special Granda and Great Granda. "At home with the Lord.' Following the announcement of his death at the weekend, tributes were paid to Tyrie. Peter Osborne, who chaired the Community Relations Council, posted on X: 'In the years that I knew him Andy Tyrie was an advocate for tolerance, reconciliation, and on those issues that particularly affect working class communities. Sorry to see this. Condolences to his family.' His name had featured on a loyalist museum in east Belfast. The Loyalist Conflict Museum opened its doors in 2012, and was originally called The Andy Tyrie Interpretive Centre. Tyrie's first involvement in loyalist paramilitary activity came with the UVF in the late 1960s, before he switched to the UDA. Soon Tyrie became a UDA officer in the Shankill Road area, and was appointed leader in 1973 after the murder of Tommy Herron. Although not convicted of any paramilitary activity, under his leadership the UDA was widely involved in terrorism. According to the Sutton database of deaths at Ulster University's Cain project, the UDA/UFF was responsible for 260 killings during the Troubles. Most (208) of its victims were civilians, predominantly Catholics. News Catch Up - Wednesday 21 May However, Tyrie encouraged the organisation to embrace politics through the establishment of the New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG). He was involved in organising the Ulster Workers' Council strike, which brought down the old power-sharing government. In March 1988, Tyrie narrowly avoided death from a car bomb. No-one admitted responsibility for the failed attack, but Tyrie believed it was carried out by potential successors within the UDA. He quit as leader days later and went on to sever all links with the organisation. Tyrie backed the Ulster Democratic Party's campaign in favour of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
