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Turf war fears after loyalist terror boss 'dies from drug overdose'
Monday, 24 November 2008
enlargeThere are fears today that the death of a top loyalist criminal from a suspected drugs overdose could spark a turf war as others lay claim to his mantle.
Police are investigating the sudden death of Ihab Shoukri who was found this morning at a house in the Grainon Way area of Newtownabbey, north Belfast.
And while officers said there are no suspicious circumstances, there are fears that his death may spark violence.
The 34-year-old and his brother Andre rose to prominence to become two of the most high profile members of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA), before establishing their own breakaway grouping.
Ihab Shoukri was part of a criminal network responsible for murder, drug dealing and racketeering and there were concerns that news of his death may encourage others to try and take his place.
Baroness May Blood, who has spent decades working in loyalist communities, said Shoukri left a legacy of shattered lives behind him.
"I am sad to hear a young man has lost his life, but the first thought that came to my mind was 'those who live by the sword die by it'," she said.
"This guy put drugs into the community for years and years and destroyed so many lives.
"I hope (the) prediction of a turf war is wrong, because we have gone through turf wars so many times in the Protestant areas.
"I hope this young man will be given a funeral and that will be the end of it, but I doubt that."
Ihab and Andre Shoukri - sons of an Egyptian who married a woman from Northern Ireland - were regularly identified in the media as being leading loyalists.
Earlier this year Ihab Shoukri pleaded guilty to UDA membership after he was arrested with five other men at a bar in March 2006 where they were accused of rehearsing for a UDA show of strength.
In June it emerged that while Ihab was sentenced to 15 months in jail for his part in events at the Alexandra Bar in north Belfast, he would be free within two months after time already served was taken-off.
Nationalist politicians were critical of the sentencing after the judge in the case said Shoukri only escaped a longer jail term because of progress in the peace process.
It was reported at the time that the sentence was to be challenged.
Last year Andre Shoukri was sentenced to nine years in jail for trying to extort thousands of pounds from a pub owner.
A police source once said of the gang led by the Shoukris: "They thought they were above the law...You could say they thought they were untouchable."
The Shoukri brothers were expelled from the UDA two years ago after setting up a breakaway faction in south east Antrim.
The UDA was formed in the early 1970s and despite carrying out a murder campaign under the cover name 'Ulster Freedom Fighters', the UDA remained a legal organisation until 1992.
It is the largest paramilitary group in Northern Ireland and was responsible for more than 400 murders during the Troubles.
Ihab Shoukri had been a so-called 'brigadier' in the UDA.
Baroness Blood told the BBC: "The UDA is a very discredited group. I know there are some in it trying to move towards decommissioning but in my opinion they are not moving quick enough.
"But certainly his (Ihab Shoukri's) legacy would have been in criminal matters.
"There possibly could be a turf war out of it. I hope it does not lead to violence in our streets."
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Comments
101 Comments
I am sick of people saying ihab died of a drug overdose,he took a fit in his sleep ,and at the end of the day this young man is dead,let him rest in peace,and let his family and friends mourn him because he is missed big time by plenty of people,and the drug world is worse than it ever was,
Posted by family friend | 28.11.08, 22:42 GMT
I agree with a lot of the comments on this page.
He did nothing for the loyalist cause. They thought that they were better than anyone else and although some people are grieving for him he is no great loss to the loyalist community.
Being a mother i do have sympathy for his mother as it must be the worst thing to bury one of your children.
However think of Mrs McCullough on the shankill road.
Ihab was a good looking man but he wasted his life.
Posted by brenda | 27.11.08, 15:30 GMT
A mother has lost her son. Katie is a lovely christian lady, let her grieve in peace. I hope Andre doesnt end up the same way. I grew up with the Shoukri's and it is sad to see how these good looking guys have turned out. There is terrible evil in this world, lets just hope he rests in peace now.
Posted by A non | 27.11.08, 11:58 GMT
Why is this still such a big topic? Ihab was a terror to the community he lived in and preyed on the vulnerable. He made his choice a long time ago and has paid the price for it, he derseved his faith.
4 PSNI officers were burried this week for their community work, shouldn't we be more supportative of those good people, than that of a brutal man who terrorised people in the community and ruined so many lives over his greed for money.
.........its time to forget about this and concentrate on more important things.
Posted by Michelle | 27.11.08, 11:56 GMT
i feel ashamed of myself for being part of this foolish country. not only does it produces people like the Shoukri's, it is also responsible for the people who send their condolences. People who use collections of letters and numbers like 'm8'. This is crazy,he was a gangster. nothing more or less. he shouldnt be idolised at all, its a horrible profession.
Posted by Che | 27.11.08, 11:33 GMT
thank goodness after today we will never have to listen to this mans name again. Shoukri, never heard of him
Posted by highlandqueen newtownabbey | 27.11.08, 11:32 GMT
i would just like to say i think you lot are sick! There is a family sitting grieving and you are writing pure rubbish for them all to read. I only met Ihab a few times and he always had a smile on his face for anyone he met, i know his girlfriend and what she is going through now no-one deserves, only she knows the true story! Most of you are going by what has been written in the papers but please ask yourself is everything you read iin the paper true?
my thoughts go out to his loving girlfriend, his beautiful step kids and his adoring family, rest in peace ihab! xx
Posted by trish | 27.11.08, 07:46 GMT
Lets hope that this is a lesson to not only his brother but to all others just like him.
Posted by a shankill mother | 27.11.08, 06:16 GMT
Rest in peace Ihab everyone has there own points of veiw,you will be sadly missed,and at the end of the day there is far worse out there now so let him rest now and leave his family alone .
Posted by family friend | 27.11.08, 05:29 GMT
Please have a thought for the mother of this man who has to bury him tomorrow. She is kind, christian lady who is a pillar of her community.
Posted by gaz | 26.11.08, 20:43 GMT
This young man, did not start the Drug trade within the UDA. It was there a long time before he came along.
Posted by UNIONCRUISER | 26.11.08, 19:46 GMT
wil be sadly missed xxxx
Posted by kylie | 26.11.08, 19:00 GMT
So what if he was nice at school he was a child for gods sake an innocent. He grew into a monster, he didn't care what misery he inflicted on other people he only thought of himself. I have no sympathy at all for paramilitaries.
Posted by highlandqueen newtownabbey | 26.11.08, 18:32 GMT
One man's terrorist drug-dealing violent thug is another man's superhero.
Posted by Yazzer | 26.11.08, 18:15 GMT
As someone who has suffered the death of a sibling i can think of nothing more unbearable than not being given the opportunity to say goodbye. The family are extremely close and despite what has gone on in the past deserve the chance to grieve without the condemnation of outsiders. We often talk of how this now peaceful society will move forward but if we cannot show compassion and understanding at times of such sorrow for famillies then how can we ever find peace.
Posted by anon | 26.11.08, 17:41 GMT
i was very sadden to hear the news of ihad's sudden death, i wish to offer my deepest sympathy to katie, yuk and andre.. i have known all the shoukri's from childhood growing up in ballysillan and have remained very close friends since then.. ihab will be sadly missed.
rest in peace
junior antrim/ballysillan
Posted by william | 26.11.08, 17:19 GMT
everyone is entitled to thier points of veiw but some respect to the famiy i feel is little to ask. ihab was to the many true friends a gentleman and a caring person as are his two brothers alike.
rip mate
Posted by a m8 | 26.11.08, 16:27 GMT
It was HIS choice to get involved in what he chose to do, mainly causing misery to people and businesses to line his pocket, through protection money and drugs, good riddance.
Posted by Richard | 26.11.08, 15:38 GMT
had a choice to do something decent with his life. instead chose drug dealing , bullying and distroying young peoples lives selling his poison good riddance.
Posted by jon | 26.11.08, 15:33 GMT
Some of the comments on here were written by people that find it hard enough to talk properly let alone type. Why would you pay respects to someone you don't respect?
Posted by Neill C | 26.11.08, 14:29 GMT
101 Comments