The ongoing feud between two loyalist factions in Northern Ireland has escalated to new levels of violence as crime boss Adrian Price reportedly ordered 50 gang members to converge on an estate in Belfast. The feud, which has been simmering for months, has already resulted in multiple shootings and arson attacks. The latest move by Price has sparked fears of further bloodshed as tensions continue to rise within the loyalist community. This article delves into the reasons behind the feud and the potential consequences of Price’s actions.
A drug gang feud in Northern Ireland has escalated with the besieged gang leader, Aidso Price, ordering his men to leave their homes and converge on Weavers Grange near Newtownards’ West Winds estate. It is believed that more than 50 gang members have bunkered down in the area, which has become the focal point of the feud. Despite some of his people leaving the estate, Price has been telling anyone willing to listen that he is hell-bent on revenge after resisting orders from the North Down UFF to quit the area. The rival North Down faction, allegedly headed by loyalist veteran Dickie Barry, is threatening to turn the screw and some of Price’s men are reportedly looking for a way out.
According to sources, the feud is not a drugs turf war, but has arisen due to rising tensions over the past eight months. The faction led by Dickie Barry moved against Price’s mob following some confrontations, including an early morning bust-up at the home of a senior UDA figure, and an allegation that a prominent member and someone close to Price pistol-whipped his then girlfriend, the daughter of a UVF veteran. The South East Antrim UDA, which protected Price until recently, allegedly cut him loose when the UVF went to the SEA leadership. For the past year, The Price gang has reportedly bullied and tortured the community with housebreaking, extortion, and bringing crack cocaine and heroin onto the streets.
The mainstream UVF and UDA have resisted calls to intervene, resulting in a meeting between UDA Brigadier Jackie McDonald and UVF Chief of Staff John ‘Bunter’ Graham, who agreed that the feud had nothing to do with them. The meeting apparently resulted in a statement from the paramilitary group, the Loyalist Communities Council, stating that anyone dealing in drugs could not be considered a loyalist. Other sources in North Down say that the feud is “out of control” and that unless a solution is found, there will be serious injury or worse. One source believes that it is time for the mainstream UDA to step in, stating that “most of the time, [people] are running about with machetes and chucking pipe bombs, most of the time into the wrong houses. If an innocent person is killed, the UVF and UDA may not have a choice but to get involved, the community will be looking to them to sort these mobs out.”
Price’s gang is made up of several people forced out of the UDA in different areas and who sought sanctuary in Newtownards. Price sought protection from the South East Antrim UDA, which was granted in return for a cut of the drug profits. Price showed his loyalty with his involvement in the murder of Colin Horner in Bangor in 2017 as a result of a previous loyalist feud in Carrick. On the other side, UDA D Company was forced off the Shankill after a drugs bust-up with UFF narco king Mo Courtney.
The feud has resulted in more than a dozen attacks on individuals and homes across Newtownards, Bangor, Donaghadee, and Ballywalter, and 14 arrests. The latest assault took place on Friday when four masked men were held after an attack at Ards Shopping Centre. The victim was attacked at around 3.30 pm, and the police intercepted a black BMW on Kempe Stones Road and arrested four men. Some of the arrested men are accused of being associates of Ryan ‘Buster’ Johnston, the Maserati-driving son of gang boss Price. Buster is regarded as “extremely loyal and close’’ to his father, and the two have been featured in graffiti in Newtownards describing them as “dead men walking.” There is video footage of the four alleged attackers making their escape past shocked shoppers.
There is concern that police resources may reach breaking point with the feud attacks over a large area in North Down and the Ards Peninsula. The security chiefs are concerned they cannot maintain the current level of operation. A spokesman for Dickie Barry dismissed allegations that his client was a member of the UDA, stating that he entirely refutes any allegations of involvement in criminality and allegations of membership, either in the past or present, of any proscribed organization.
