Hi °C | Lo °C A NOTORIOUS loyalist paramilitary unit will today declare plans to transform into a new peace-time community development body.
The UDA's South East Antrim Brigade, which has become detached from the rest of the terror organisation, is to hand over to a group calling itself Beyond Conflict.
The body, involving an 18-strong executive committee drawn from across the region, is to reveal nine implementation plans on a range of issues.
These include strategies on drugs, housing, prisons, race relations and culture, murals, paramilitary activity, and attempts to ease tensions at interface districts.
With UDA bosses in south east Antrim split from the rest of the organisation ever since a dispute over the now deposed commanders in north Belfast, Andre and Ihab Shoukri, the new body must attempt to win over a sceptical public.
Some of the most appalling sectarian murders in Northern Ireland were carried out by that UDA unit under the orders of former leader John Gregg.
Gregg was murdered near Belfast docks in February 2003 during a violent feud with supporters of rogue UDA chief Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair.
Beyond Conflict's mission statement claims it is committed to assisting the transformation of former UDA members to disengage from conflict, develop dialogue and partnership within local neighbourhoods through traditional community development processes.
Independent Unionist councillor Tommy Kirkham, who has himself left the Ulster Political Research Group which advises the paramilitary organisation, will give more details on the body's plans at an official launch in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim today.
