Torrens Knight
Encyclopedia
Torrens Knight is a Northern Ireland
loyalist
and alleged police informer, who belonged to the "North Antrim & Londonderry Brigade" of the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA). He was part of the UDA (using the covername "Ulster Freedom Fighters") unit that carried out the Greysteel massacre
where eight people lost their lives. After being convicted, along with three others, for the killings, he served seven years in the Maze Prison before his release in 2000 under the Good Friday Agreement
.
. Their target was the Rising Sun bar in Greysteel
, where he, Stephen Irwin, Jeffrey Deeney and Brian McNeill shot eight dead
(six Catholics and two Protestants). After the leading gunman, Irwin shouted "Trick or treat", he and Deeney raked the bar with gunfire, while Knight, armed with a shotgun, stood at the door. 19 other people were injured. McNeil was the driver of one of the cars used after the shootings. The attack was claimed by the "Ulster Freedom Fighters", a covername used by the UDA.
Knight was given eight life sentences for his part in the killings and a further four more for the murder of a Provisional Irish Republican Army
(IRA) member and three Catholic civilians in Castlerock
, County Londonderry
. He served seven years in the Maze Prison before paramilitary prisoners were granted a general release under the Good Friday Agreement
in 2000.
there had been rumours that Knight had been a police informer. Suspicions have been voiced by John Dallat
, a member of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party
(SDLP). Dallat, who said he was in touch with police about Knight before the attacks in Greysteel and Castlerock, claimed they might have been prevented since it was known Knight was an extremist.
In 2000 Knight allegedly attracted the attention of staff at a bank where he was withdrawing large amounts of money from an account into which £50,000 a year was being paid. The bank's concern was that Knight was involved in money laundering
, but, when police were contacted, an assurance was given that everything was in order. The money was said to be from a Scottish engineering firm, but the account was quickly closed down.
The allegations of being an informer was investigated by the Police ombudsman Nula O'Loan who eventually released her findings which showed no evidence of money being paid to Knight or that he was an informer. In fact her report showed if anything he was dealt with by the courts quite fairly receiving Life sentences.
councillor Billy Leonard
claimed that Knight was a member of the Kilrea
branch of the Apprentice Boys.It was claimed that Knight took part in a parade in Kilrea and laid a wreath at the cenotaph
in the village.The Kilrea branch of the Apprentice Boys denied this as did Knight himself.A spokesman stated that Knight wasn't a member and that they will demand an apology and explanation from Sinn Fein.
Knight also stated that John Dallat and Billy Leonard are taking part in a 'hate campaign' against him and challenged the nationalist politicians 'to get off his back'
. As a result his early release licence was suspended and he was returned to jail.
He was later sentenced to four months jail for the assault. The judge said "The injuries sustained were consistent with a vicious attack on the two women and of particular concern in this case is that you kicked Ms Nicholl while she was on the ground, prone and unable to defend herself". He also said "People who do that can expect no mercy or sympathy from these courts. You acted as a bully when you approached these sisters. You lost control and lashed out".
After Knight was returned to prison in 2009 it was revealed that Trevor Collins, a member of Jim Allister
's Traditional Unionist Voice
political party, was collecting signatures campaigning for his release from prison. The TUV said it would not be taking action against the member to discipline Trevor Collins from Garvagh who instigated the petition.
Knight was released on 6 August 2010.
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...
and alleged police informer, who belonged to the "North Antrim & Londonderry Brigade" of 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). He was part of the UDA (using the covername "Ulster Freedom Fighters") unit that carried out the Greysteel massacre
Greysteel massacre
The Greysteel massacre took place on the evening of 30 October 1993 in Greysteel, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Three members of the Ulster Defence Association , a loyalist paramilitary group, attacked a crowded pub with firearms, killing eight civilians and wounding thirteen...
where eight people lost their lives. After being convicted, along with three others, for the killings, he served seven years in the Maze Prison before his release in 2000 under the Good Friday Agreement
Belfast Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement , sometimes called the Stormont Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process...
.
Paramilitary activity
Knight was part of a four man UDA unit sent to 'avenge' the Shankill Road bombingShankill Road bombing
The Shankill Road bombing was carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on 23 October 1993 and is one of the most notorious incidents of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Provisional IRA's intended target was a meeting of loyalist paramilitary leaders, which was to take place above...
. Their target was the Rising Sun bar in Greysteel
Greysteel
Greysteel or Gresteel is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies to the east of Derry and to the west of Limavady on the main A2 coast road between Limavady and Derry, overlooking Lough Foyle...
, where he, Stephen Irwin, Jeffrey Deeney and Brian McNeill shot eight dead
Greysteel massacre
The Greysteel massacre took place on the evening of 30 October 1993 in Greysteel, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Three members of the Ulster Defence Association , a loyalist paramilitary group, attacked a crowded pub with firearms, killing eight civilians and wounding thirteen...
(six Catholics and two Protestants). After the leading gunman, Irwin shouted "Trick or treat", he and Deeney raked the bar with gunfire, while Knight, armed with a shotgun, stood at the door. 19 other people were injured. McNeil was the driver of one of the cars used after the shootings. The attack was claimed by the "Ulster Freedom Fighters", a covername used by the UDA.
Knight was given eight life sentences for his part in the killings and a further four more for the murder of a Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA) member and three Catholic civilians in Castlerock
Castlerock
Castlerock is a seaside village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is situated between Coleraine and Derry and is very popular with summer tourists, having numerous apartment blocks and three caravan sites. Castlerock Golf Club has both 9 and 18-hole links courses bounded by the beach, the...
, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
. He served seven years in the Maze Prison before paramilitary prisoners were granted a general release under the Good Friday Agreement
Belfast Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement , sometimes called the Stormont Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process...
in 2000.
Allegations of being an informant
According to David McKittrickDavid 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...
there had been rumours that Knight had been a police informer. Suspicions have been voiced by John Dallat
John Dallat
John Dallat is an Irish politician.He attended Coleraine College of Further Education, the North West College of Further and Higher Education, the University of Ulster and University College, Galway before becoming a teacher of business studies.Dallat joined the Social Democratic and Labour Party...
, a member of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
(SDLP). Dallat, who said he was in touch with police about Knight before the attacks in Greysteel and Castlerock, claimed they might have been prevented since it was known Knight was an extremist.
In 2000 Knight allegedly attracted the attention of staff at a bank where he was withdrawing large amounts of money from an account into which £50,000 a year was being paid. The bank's concern was that Knight was involved in money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
, but, when police were contacted, an assurance was given that everything was in order. The money was said to be from a Scottish engineering firm, but the account was quickly closed down.
The allegations of being an informer was investigated by the Police ombudsman Nula O'Loan who eventually released her findings which showed no evidence of money being paid to Knight or that he was an informer. In fact her report showed if anything he was dealt with by the courts quite fairly receiving Life sentences.
Alleged membership of Apprentice Boys
In 2008 Sinn FeinSinn 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...
councillor Billy Leonard
Billy Leonard
Billy Leonard is an Irish republican politician.Born in Lurgan to a Protestant family, Leonard is a former lay preacher and former member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve and the Orange Order.-Career:...
claimed that Knight was a member of the Kilrea
Kilrea
Kilrea is a village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is near the River Bann, which marks the boundary between County Londonderry and County Antrim...
branch of the Apprentice Boys.It was claimed that Knight took part in a parade in Kilrea and laid a wreath at the cenotaph
Cenotaph
A cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been interred elsewhere. The word derives from the Greek κενοτάφιον = kenotaphion...
in the village.The Kilrea branch of the Apprentice Boys denied this as did Knight himself.A spokesman stated that Knight wasn't a member and that they will demand an apology and explanation from Sinn Fein.
Knight also stated that John Dallat and Billy Leonard are taking part in a 'hate campaign' against him and challenged the nationalist politicians 'to get off his back'
2009 conviction
In October 2009 Knight was found guilty of assaulting two sisters in a bar in ColeraineColeraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
. As a result his early release licence was suspended and he was returned to jail.
He was later sentenced to four months jail for the assault. The judge said "The injuries sustained were consistent with a vicious attack on the two women and of particular concern in this case is that you kicked Ms Nicholl while she was on the ground, prone and unable to defend herself". He also said "People who do that can expect no mercy or sympathy from these courts. You acted as a bully when you approached these sisters. You lost control and lashed out".
After Knight was returned to prison in 2009 it was revealed that Trevor Collins, a member of Jim Allister
Jim Allister
James Hugh "Jim" Allister, QC is a Northern Ireland Unionist politician and senior barrister. He is the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice political party, serving as MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly, where he represents Antrim North.He was formerly a member of the Democratic Unionist...
's Traditional Unionist Voice
Traditional Unionist Voice
Traditional Unionist Voice is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland founded on 7 December 2007, as an anti-St Andrews Agreement splinter group from the Democratic Unionist Party . Its first and current leader is Jim Allister who, until 2009, sat as an independent Member of the European...
political party, was collecting signatures campaigning for his release from prison. The TUV said it would not be taking action against the member to discipline Trevor Collins from Garvagh who instigated the petition.
Knight was released on 6 August 2010.