Ulster Army Council
The Ulster Army Council (or UAC) was set up in 1973 as an umbrella group by the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force to co-ordinate joint paramilitary operations during the Ulster Workers' Council Strike.[1] Andy Tyrie was the head of the group - and was also the then commander of the Ulster Defence Association.[1]
The following groups along with the UDA and UVF were members of the Ulster Army Council: the Orange Volunteers, Down Orange Welfare, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, Ulster Volunteer Service Corps and Red Hand Commandos.[1] The Ulster Service Corps, a group based in County Fermanagh and south Tyrone that was distinct from the similarly named Ulster Volunteer Service Corps, was admitted to the group in early 1974.[2]
The main aim of the group was to set-up a Loyalist army of around 20,000 men to take control of Northern Ireland if necessary, to prevent any attempt of the re-Unification of Ireland, in which the group planned to seize control of Northern Ireland and declare a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).[1] Its main role at the start of the strike was mobilise a large vigilante street presence in order to intimidate those workers uncertain about joining the strike, a tactic Tyrie described as essential in order that the strike would succeed.[3] According to journalist Don Anderson its role became much less important once the strike had been going for a few days as by that stage the majority of the Protestant workforce were behind the initiative voluntarily.[4]
The group was replaced by the Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee (ULCCC) after the 1974 strike.[1]
[edit] References
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