Andy Tyrie assumed command of the UDA in the Springmartin/Highfield area of North and West Belfast in early 1972, establishing control over one of the most lethal paramilitary groups of the conflict.
British Military Intelligence identified Tyrie as “A Company Commander” by May 1972 at least.
Tyrie then became the self-styled “Supreme Commander” of the UDA from 1973, a position he held for 15 years.
Under his leadership, the UDA evolved from neighbourhood defensive committees into a coordinated paramilitary force responsible for over 400 sectarian murders, the majority targeting randon Catholic civilians “in the wrong at the wrong time”.
The British state was aware of his leadership role and the UDA's activities but did not ban the organization until 1992.
In these files from the darkest days of the conflict, Tyrie was in close contact with the British Army, even as his UDA units were involved in kidnapping, torture, and murder. He operated with virtual impunity until he left the UDA in 1988.
He was buried today, 22nd May 2025, and was remembered as a peacemaker and bridge-builder.
It is important too we remember the trail of devastation he and his organistion left in their wake.
It is also important that we acknowledge that Andy Tyrie and the UDA were allowed to operate legally by the British state, at best tolerated, and at worst actively armed and directed by it.
The British state would not support a paramilitary group to murder hundreds of its citizens in Birmingham or Bristol, but it helped Tyrie’s UDA do just that in Belfast.
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