Jimbo Simpson
Encyclopedia
James "Jimbo" Simpson, also known as the Bacardi Brigadier, is a Northern Irish
loyalist
paramilitary. He is most noted for his time as Brigadier of the North Belfast Ulster Defence Association
(UDA). He is no longer involved in loyalism.
in the New Lodge
[a neighbouring Catholic district]". He would go on to assume command of the North Belfast brigade, making him one of the six Inner Council members that led the UDA. He had taken over from Brigadier Tom Reid, who in his turn had succeeded the notorious Davy Payne
following the latter's arrest in 1988.
, John Gregg
and Billy McFarland
, one of the brigadiers on stage during Johnny Adair
's "Loyalist Day of Culture" on the Lower Shankill on 19 August 2000. In a move that Simpson and the other brigadiers were unaware of, Adair used the day as the starting point for a bloody loyalist feud
with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). For his part Simpson was reluctant to join the struggle with the UVF but many within his brigade admired Adair and some became openly involved in the feud, not least David Greer, who had been involved on the Loyalist Day of Culutre when Adair's men attacked the UVF stronghold Rex Bar. Greer was killed by the North Belfast UVF on Mountcollyer Street on 28 October whilst two days later the Tiger's Bay UDA retaliated by killing Herbert Rice, a 63-year old Progressive Unionist Party
(PUP) activist who had been in the UVF in the late 1960s. Tommy English, an Ulster Democratic Party
(UDP) spokesman and veteran streetfighter, was killed by the UVF that same night in Newtownabbey
, and before long John Gregg's South-east Antrim brigade joined the growing feud.
By the early years of the 21st century, Simpson's control in north Belfast had become nominal as the brigade had witnessed an influx of young members who were attracted by the militancy of Johnny Adair. They owed their loyalty to the west Belfast
brigadier rather than Simpson. One of the few activities he was able to organise was a pipe bomb
campaign, combined with large scale rioting, along the boundaries between Tiger's Bay and the New Lodge throughout 2000 and 2001. Simpson believed that Catholics were attempting to encroach on Protestant turf, largely due to the overcrowding on the New Lodge and the presence of empty streets in Tiger's Bay. Indeed Sinn Féin
's North Belfast spokesman, Gerry Kelly
had called on the Housing Executive to move the peace lines
in order to build new housing for Catholics, a statement Simpson interpreted as the same sort of encroachment that had brought him to the UDA in the first place.
One of his last acts as brigadier was part of the Holy Cross dispute
in which loyalists began to picket a Catholic primary school in Ardoyne
. Several residents of Glenbryn who had been involved in the protests filed suits against the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC), alleging heavy-handed treatment. In response to the claims, Simpson issued a statement claiming that if this treatment continued then the police and their families would be targeted by the North Belfast UDA, an unprecedent threat from a loyalist group. A susbsequent statement claimed that the targeting would take the form of protests outside their houses rather than paramilitary attacks; although it also underlined that the policemen's families in particular would be made to "pay the price".
Brigadier" because of his voracious appetite for alcohol, was described as a "sad shambling figure" by the Belfast News Letter. His drunken rages had also become more frequent, and in one incident he even had to be forcibly ejected from the Mount Inn after he threw a set of pool balls around the bar, damaging a toilet door. His violent mood swings became a feature of life in his Tiger's Bay stronghold, where intimidation and petty violence became rife, whilst he also co-ordinated a network of protection racket
s and supported his wife "Tootsie" in her large-scale fencing
operation. Simpson was finally deposed by the pro-Adair wing in mid 2002 and, following a personal recommendation from a freshly released from prison Adair, the Inner Council endorsed Andre Shoukri
as his successor. Shoukri's physical takeover proved surprisingly easy: with guns borrowed from Adair he and his followers stood Simpson down without firing a shot, Simpson being apparently relieved to be leaving the position.
Andre Shoukri and his brother Ihab Shoukri
both had brief spells as brigadier before being imprisoned leading to the appointment of William "Bonzer" Borland
, a former footballer with Linfield
, to the role in 2003. Sensing that Borland, who had little background in the UDA, was a weak replacement, Simpson began to openly criticise his lack of experience and made a play to regain command for himself. On 13 October 2003 around forty of Simpson's closest allies in the UDA went on the rampage in the Ballysillan and Glenbryn estates attacking houses and shops owned by Borland supporters before attempting, unsuccessfully, to kidnap the new brigadier. The attempted coup was not a success and several of Simpson's men found themselves the victims of punishment shootings
soon afterwards. According to David McKittrick
Simpson's attempted coup had also been ispired by his relcutance to hand over part of the proceeds of a £5000 robbery in which he had been involved to the new North Belfast leadership.
South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald, who had emerged as the UDA's leading figure after forcing Johnny Adair out of Northern Ireland earlier in the year, stepped in as he felt that the image presented by Simpson in his final years as brigadier was one that was too damaging to the UDA to be allowed to resume. He led the Inner Council in condemning the actions of Simpson and in ordering him to leave Belfast and not return. A subsequent letter from Simpson's supporters to the North Belfast leadership warned that they would be back to regain control. Simpson himself was reported as having fled to England
with the proceeds of the robbery.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
loyalist
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
paramilitary. He is most noted for his time as Brigadier of the North Belfast Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA). He is no longer involved in loyalism.
Early years
Simpson, a native of the Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast, joined the UDA in the early 1970s, claiming later that he did so as he felt that "there was no one to defend our streets from republicansIrish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
in the New Lodge
New Lodge, Belfast
The New Lodge is an urban, working-class Catholic community in Belfast, Northern Ireland, immediately to the north of city centre. The landscape is dominated by several large tower blocks. The area has a number of murals, mostly sited along the New Lodge Road...
[a neighbouring Catholic district]". He would go on to assume command of the North Belfast brigade, making him one of the six Inner Council members that led the UDA. He had taken over from Brigadier Tom Reid, who in his turn had succeeded the notorious Davy Payne
Davy Payne
David "Davy" Payne was a senior Northern Irish loyalist and a high-ranking member of the Ulster Defence Association during the Troubles serving as brigadier of the North Belfast Brigade. He was second-in-command of the Shankill Road brigade of the Ulster Freedom Fighters , which was the "cover...
following the latter's arrest in 1988.
Brigadier
Simpson was, along with Jackie McDonaldJackie McDonald
John "Jackie" McDonald is a senior Northern Irish loyalist and the incumbent Ulster Defence Association brigadier for South Belfast, having been promoted to the rank by former UDA commander Andy Tyrie in 1988, following John McMichael's killing by the Provisional IRA in December 1987...
, John Gregg
John Gregg (UDA)
John Gregg was a senior member of the UDA/UFF loyalist organisation in Northern Ireland. From the 1990s until his shooting death by rival associates, he served as brigadier of its South East Antrim Brigade...
and Billy McFarland
Billy McFarland
William "Billy" McFarland, also known as "the Mexican", is a Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary. A leading figure in the Ulster Defence Association , he has served as head of the North Antrim and Londonderry Brigade of the group.-Early years:...
, one of the brigadiers on stage during Johnny Adair
Johnny Adair
Jonathan Adair, better known as Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair is the former leader of the "C Company", 2nd Battalion Shankill Road, West Belfast Brigade of the "Ulster Freedom Fighters" . This was a cover name used by the Ulster Defence Association , an Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation...
's "Loyalist Day of Culture" on the Lower Shankill on 19 August 2000. In a move that Simpson and the other brigadiers were unaware of, Adair used the day as the starting point for a bloody loyalist feud
Loyalist feud
A loyalist feud refers to any of the sporadic feuds which have erupted almost routinely between Northern Ireland's various loyalist paramilitary groups since they were founded shortly before and after the religious/political conflict known as The Troubles broke out in the late 1960s...
with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). For his part Simpson was reluctant to join the struggle with the UVF but many within his brigade admired Adair and some became openly involved in the feud, not least David Greer, who had been involved on the Loyalist Day of Culutre when Adair's men attacked the UVF stronghold Rex Bar. Greer was killed by the North Belfast UVF on Mountcollyer Street on 28 October whilst two days later the Tiger's Bay UDA retaliated by killing Herbert Rice, a 63-year old Progressive Unionist Party
Progressive Unionist Party
The Progressive Unionist Party is a small unionist political party in Northern Ireland. It was formed from the Independent Unionist Group operating in the Shankill area of Belfast, becoming the PUP in 1979...
(PUP) activist who had been in the UVF in the late 1960s. Tommy English, an Ulster Democratic Party
Ulster Democratic Party
The Ulster Democratic Party was a small loyalist political party in Northern Ireland. It was established in June 1981 as the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party by the Ulster Defence Association to replace their New Ulster Political Research Group...
(UDP) spokesman and veteran streetfighter, was killed by the UVF that same night in Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
, and before long John Gregg's South-east Antrim brigade joined the growing feud.
By the early years of the 21st century, Simpson's control in north Belfast had become nominal as the brigade had witnessed an influx of young members who were attracted by the militancy of Johnny Adair. They owed their loyalty to the west Belfast
UDA West Belfast Brigade
The UDA West Belfast Brigade is the section of the Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association based in the western quarter of Belfast in the Greater Shankill area...
brigadier rather than Simpson. One of the few activities he was able to organise was a pipe bomb
Pipe bomb
A pipe bomb is an improvised explosive device, a tightly sealed section of pipe filled with an explosive material. The containment provided by the pipe means that simple low explosives can be used to produce a relatively large explosion, and the fragmentation of the pipe itself creates potentially...
campaign, combined with large scale rioting, along the boundaries between Tiger's Bay and the New Lodge throughout 2000 and 2001. Simpson believed that Catholics were attempting to encroach on Protestant turf, largely due to the overcrowding on the New Lodge and the presence of empty streets in Tiger's Bay. Indeed Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
's North Belfast spokesman, Gerry Kelly
Gerry Kelly
Gerard "Gerry" Kelly is an Irish republican politician and former Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer who played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998...
had called on the Housing Executive to move the peace lines
Peace lines
The peace lines or peace walls are a series of separation barriers in Northern Ireland that separate Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods. They have been built at urban interface areas in Belfast, Derry, Portadown and elsewhere...
in order to build new housing for Catholics, a statement Simpson interpreted as the same sort of encroachment that had brought him to the UDA in the first place.
One of his last acts as brigadier was part of the Holy Cross dispute
Holy Cross dispute
The Holy Cross dispute occurred in 2001 and 2002 in the Ardoyne area of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and involved an escalating dispute between on the one hand the pupils and parents of Holy Cross R.C. Primary School and on the other the residents of a loyalist area that lay on the route to the front...
in which loyalists began to picket a Catholic primary school in Ardoyne
Ardoyne
Ardoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic district in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants...
. Several residents of Glenbryn who had been involved in the protests filed suits against the Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC), alleging heavy-handed treatment. In response to the claims, Simpson issued a statement claiming that if this treatment continued then the police and their families would be targeted by the North Belfast UDA, an unprecedent threat from a loyalist group. A susbsequent statement claimed that the targeting would take the form of protests outside their houses rather than paramilitary attacks; although it also underlined that the policemen's families in particular would be made to "pay the price".
Removal
Simpson, who had long bore the nickname "BacardiBacardi
Bacardi is a family-controlled spirits company, best known as a producer of rums, including Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 151. The company sells in excess of 200 million bottles per year in nearly 100 countries...
Brigadier" because of his voracious appetite for alcohol, was described as a "sad shambling figure" by the Belfast News Letter. His drunken rages had also become more frequent, and in one incident he even had to be forcibly ejected from the Mount Inn after he threw a set of pool balls around the bar, damaging a toilet door. His violent mood swings became a feature of life in his Tiger's Bay stronghold, where intimidation and petty violence became rife, whilst he also co-ordinated a network of protection racket
Protection racket
A protection racket is an extortion scheme whereby a criminal group or individual coerces a victim to pay money, supposedly for protection services against violence or property damage. Racketeers coerce reticent potential victims into buying "protection" by demonstrating what will happen if they...
s and supported his wife "Tootsie" in her large-scale fencing
Fence (criminal)
A fence is an individual who knowingly buys stolen property for later resale, sometimes in a legitimate market. The fence thus acts as a middleman between thieves and the eventual buyers of stolen goods who may or may not be aware that the goods are stolen. As a verb, the word describes the...
operation. Simpson was finally deposed by the pro-Adair wing in mid 2002 and, following a personal recommendation from a freshly released from prison Adair, the Inner Council endorsed Andre Shoukri
Andre Shoukri
TheShoukri brothers are a pair of Egyptian-Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary members. Andre Khalef Shoukri was born in 1977, the son of a Coptic Christian Egyptian father and a Northern Irish mother. He was alleged to have taken over the north Belfast Ulster Defence Association leadership...
as his successor. Shoukri's physical takeover proved surprisingly easy: with guns borrowed from Adair he and his followers stood Simpson down without firing a shot, Simpson being apparently relieved to be leaving the position.
Andre Shoukri and his brother Ihab Shoukri
Ihab
Ihab may refer to: the name of a upcoming Norwegian band from Bodø. IHAB stands for 'I has a bucket'.*Ihab al-Ghussein, spokesman of the Interior Ministry of the Palestinian National Authority based in the Hamas-administrated Gaza Strip...
both had brief spells as brigadier before being imprisoned leading to the appointment of William "Bonzer" Borland
William Borland (loyalist)
William John "Bonzer" Borland is a Northern Irish former footballer and loyalist activist. He came to prominence in the early years of the 21st century when he served as leader of the North Belfast Brigade of the Ulster Defence Association and, as such, one of the six commanders of the movement...
, a former footballer with Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
, to the role in 2003. Sensing that Borland, who had little background in the UDA, was a weak replacement, Simpson began to openly criticise his lack of experience and made a play to regain command for himself. On 13 October 2003 around forty of Simpson's closest allies in the UDA went on the rampage in the Ballysillan and Glenbryn estates attacking houses and shops owned by Borland supporters before attempting, unsuccessfully, to kidnap the new brigadier. The attempted coup was not a success and several of Simpson's men found themselves the victims of punishment shootings
Summary justice
Summary justice refers to the trial and punishment of suspected offenders without recourse to a more formal and protracted trial under the legal system...
soon afterwards. According to David McKittrick
David McKittrick
David McKittrick is a Belfast-born journalist who has reported on Northern Ireland since 1971.-Professional career:McKittrick began his career as a reporter for the East Antrim Times. He joined the Irish Times in 1973 as a reporter in Belfast, becoming Northern editor in 1976 and London editor in...
Simpson's attempted coup had also been ispired by his relcutance to hand over part of the proceeds of a £5000 robbery in which he had been involved to the new North Belfast leadership.
South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald, who had emerged as the UDA's leading figure after forcing Johnny Adair out of Northern Ireland earlier in the year, stepped in as he felt that the image presented by Simpson in his final years as brigadier was one that was too damaging to the UDA to be allowed to resume. He led the Inner Council in condemning the actions of Simpson and in ordering him to leave Belfast and not return. A subsequent letter from Simpson's supporters to the North Belfast leadership warned that they would be back to regain control. Simpson himself was reported as having fled to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with the proceeds of the robbery.