Sammy Duddy
Encyclopedia
Evan Abbott Samuel Duddy (25 August 1945 – 17 October 2007), known as Sammy, was a Northern Irish loyalist
, having joined the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA) shortly after its formation in 1971. He later became a leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group
(UPRG), which provided political advice to that organisation.
, Northern Ireland
, and grew up in a large Protestant family in the "Hammer" area of the city, located in the lower Shankill Road. He had eight siblings. His father was originally from Derry
but had settled in Belfast and served in the B Specials during World War II
. Duddy was born shortly after the war ended. He attended a local secondary modern school where he had soon displayed a talent for writing, and would often compose valentines for his classmates in return for Dinky cars or pens. A sample of his work from this period reads as follows:
At the age of 15, Duddy was apprenticed to a letterpress printer. His father held the same occupation.
for his drag queen
act, performing in the city's clubs and pubs as "Samantha". His costume consisted of a long, black wig, fishnet tights, falsies, and heavy make-up. He once performed for British troops on tour.
At the outbreak of the violent religious and political conflict known as The Troubles
in the late 1960s, he became involved in loyalist
vigilante groups, which had sprung up to defend Protestant areas from the threat of nationalist
attacks. He joined the paramilitary organisation, the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA) in 1971, the year it was formed. Known as a "court jester" by his associates, he never took much of an active, military role in the UDA, although he was considered "handy with his fists". On one occasion during the Ulster Workers' Council Strike
in May 1974, he physically barred Rev. Ian Paisley
from entering the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party headquarters where an important meeting was being held by the Ulster Workers' Council Co-Ordinating Committee and chaired by Glenn Barr
. In the course of the general strike, which effectively brought Northern Ireland to a standstill, he was among those who manned the many street barricades that were set up. On the first full day of the strike he had assisted in the hijacking of a bakery van. Duddy and the others, however, paid the driver for the loaves of bread he was in the process of delivering.
Duddy rose to prominence within the organisation in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he served as the UDA's public relations
officer. At that time the UDA was legal, and would remain so until 1992. Duddy went on to serve as the editor of UDA magazine Ulster for a time and in 1983 published a book of his poetry entitled Concrete Whirlpools of the Mind which received praise for its sensitive treatment of the problems for young working class men drawn into violence. In order to avoid any possible implication in the Kincora Boys' Home scandal, Duddy ended the drag act in 1981 under orders from then UDA leader Andy Tyrie
, who also told him to grow a moustache
and drop his voice.
He was briefly a suspect in the UDA killing of Catholic lawyer, Pat Finucane in 1989; UDA brigadier Ken Barrett was later convicted of the shooting. From 1989 to 1990, he spent 11 months in jail on remand following his arrest during the John Stevens
inquiry into collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the Northern Ireland security forces. He was charged with possession of classified security force documents which had been passed to the UDA and contained the names of republicans which the UDA used to target IRA members. The charges against him were dropped in October 1990 and he was released.
Duddy retired from active loyalism in the 1990s, but was recalled by the UPRG to help rebuild their image after the collapse of the Ulster Democratic Party
and the split from Johnny Adair
and John White
. He was the North Belfast representative for the UPRG. At the height of the fall-out in 2002, his home in Rathcoole
, north Belfast was hit with a pipe bomb. That same year, shots were fired through his front door by masked gunmen; although he was unharmed, his pet chihuahua
dog "Bambi" died within an hour after being hit by gunfire. Another dog, "Pepsi" was injured in the attack but survived. According to Johnny Adair, Duddy never got over the loss of "Bambi".
in Belfast on 17 October 2007, aged 62, after suffering a massive heart attack. Frankie Gallagher
, a spokesman for the UPRG, stated, following Duddy's death: "He came out of retirement to pursue a peaceful path for his community and in pursuit of that he has given his life. It's a massive, massive loss for his community."
He is survived by his second wife, Roberta, and three children.
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...
, having joined the 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) shortly after its formation in 1971. He later became a leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group
Ulster Political Research Group
The Ulster Political Research Group is an advisory body connected to the Ulster Defence Association , providing advice to them on political matters...
(UPRG), which provided political advice to that organisation.
Early years
Duddy was born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
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...
, and grew up in a large Protestant family in the "Hammer" area of the city, located in the lower Shankill Road. He had eight siblings. His father was originally from Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
but had settled in Belfast and served in the B Specials during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Duddy was born shortly after the war ended. He attended a local secondary modern school where he had soon displayed a talent for writing, and would often compose valentines for his classmates in return for Dinky cars or pens. A sample of his work from this period reads as follows:
"I held your hand in class today,
My mates think I'm a fool.
But you've a thirty six inch bust
And I've a six inch tool".
At the age of 15, Duddy was apprenticed to a letterpress printer. His father held the same occupation.
Role in loyalism
Duddy was initially known in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
for his drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
act, performing in the city's clubs and pubs as "Samantha". His costume consisted of a long, black wig, fishnet tights, falsies, and heavy make-up. He once performed for British troops on tour.
At the outbreak of the violent religious and political conflict known as The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in the late 1960s, he became involved in 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...
vigilante groups, which had sprung up to defend Protestant areas from the threat of nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
attacks. He joined the paramilitary organisation, the 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) in 1971, the year it was formed. Known as a "court jester" by his associates, he never took much of an active, military role in the UDA, although he was considered "handy with his fists". On one occasion during the Ulster Workers' Council Strike
Ulster Workers' Council Strike
The Ulster Workers' Council strike was a general strike that took place in Northern Ireland between 15 May and 28 May 1974, during "The Troubles". The strike was called by loyalists and unionists who were against the Sunningdale Agreement, which had been signed in December 1973...
in May 1974, he physically barred Rev. Ian Paisley
Ian Paisley
Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, Baron Bannside, PC is a politician and church minister in Northern Ireland. As the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party , he and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness were elected First Minister and deputy First Minister respectively on 8 May 2007.In addition to co-founding...
from entering the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party headquarters where an important meeting was being held by the Ulster Workers' Council Co-Ordinating Committee and chaired by Glenn Barr
Glenn Barr
Glenn Barr, OBE , is a former politician from Derry, Northern Ireland who was an advocate of Ulster nationalism. For a time during the 1970s he straddled both Unionism and Loyalism due to simultaneously holding important positions in the Vanguard Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Defence...
. In the course of the general strike, which effectively brought Northern Ireland to a standstill, he was among those who manned the many street barricades that were set up. On the first full day of the strike he had assisted in the hijacking of a bakery van. Duddy and the others, however, paid the driver for the loaves of bread he was in the process of delivering.
Duddy rose to prominence within the organisation in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he served as the UDA's public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
officer. At that time the UDA was legal, and would remain so until 1992. Duddy went on to serve as the editor of UDA magazine Ulster for a time and in 1983 published a book of his poetry entitled Concrete Whirlpools of the Mind which received praise for its sensitive treatment of the problems for young working class men drawn into violence. In order to avoid any possible implication in the Kincora Boys' Home scandal, Duddy ended the drag act in 1981 under orders from then UDA leader Andy Tyrie
Andy Tyrie
Andrew "Andy" Tyrie is an Ulster loyalist and served as commander of the Ulster Defence Association during much of its early history...
, who also told him to grow a moustache
Moustache
A moustache is facial hair grown on the outer surface of the upper lip. It may or may not be accompanied by a type of beard, a facial hair style grown and cropped to cover most of the lower half of the face.-Etymology:...
and drop his voice.
He was briefly a suspect in the UDA killing of Catholic lawyer, Pat Finucane in 1989; UDA brigadier Ken Barrett was later convicted of the shooting. From 1989 to 1990, he spent 11 months in jail on remand following his arrest during the John Stevens
Stevens Report
The Stevens Inquiries were three official British government inquiries led by Sir John Stevens concerning collusion in Northern Ireland between loyalist paramilitaries and the state security forces...
inquiry into collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the Northern Ireland security forces. He was charged with possession of classified security force documents which had been passed to the UDA and contained the names of republicans which the UDA used to target IRA members. The charges against him were dropped in October 1990 and he was released.
Duddy retired from active loyalism in the 1990s, but was recalled by the UPRG to help rebuild their image after the collapse of the 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...
and the split from 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...
and John White
John White (loyalist)
John White is a former leading loyalist in Northern Ireland. He was sometimes known by the nickname 'Coco'. White was a leading figure in the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association and, following a prison sentence for murder, entered politics as a central figure in the Ulster Democratic...
. He was the North Belfast representative for the UPRG. At the height of the fall-out in 2002, his home in Rathcoole
Rathcoole
Rathcoole may refer to:* Rathcoole, Dublin, a village in south Dublin, Republic of Ireland* Rathcoole , a large housing estate in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK* Rathcoole Aerodrome Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland...
, north Belfast was hit with a pipe bomb. That same year, shots were fired through his front door by masked gunmen; although he was unharmed, his pet chihuahua
Chihuahua (dog)
The ' is the smallest breed of dog and is so named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Chihuahuas come in a wide variety of sizes, head shapes, colors and coat lengths.-History:...
dog "Bambi" died within an hour after being hit by gunfire. Another dog, "Pepsi" was injured in the attack but survived. According to Johnny Adair, Duddy never got over the loss of "Bambi".
Death
He died at the Royal Victoria HospitalRoyal Victoria Hospital
The Royal Victoria Hospital, or as it is popularly known, the "Royal Vic", is located at 687 Pine Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.The Royal Vic is located in downtown Montreal, on the slopes of Mount Royal. There are a number of buildings, including the Surgical, Medical, Ross and Women's...
in Belfast on 17 October 2007, aged 62, after suffering a massive heart attack. Frankie Gallagher
Frankie Gallagher
Frankie Gallagher is a loyalist politician from Northern Ireland and leading spokesman for the Ulster Political Research Group which offers political advice to the Ulster Defence Association .-Work with UPRG:...
, a spokesman for the UPRG, stated, following Duddy's death: "He came out of retirement to pursue a peaceful path for his community and in pursuit of that he has given his life. It's a massive, massive loss for his community."
He is survived by his second wife, Roberta, and three children.
External links
- Sammy Duddy - BBC Panorama
- The End of an IRA - BBC
- Obituary - Telegraph
- Obituary - The Independent
- Obituary - The Guardian
- Obituary - Ireland.com