The UDA is set to pull the plug on its 'ceasefire', The People has learned.
The terror group's Inner Council is set to vote on the issue within weeks,
and top sources say it's likely that all 'brigades' will push to go 'back
to war.'
And that means that Catholics are likely to be put in the firing line as
the sectarian killing machine stumbles to put together a political
argument.
"There is no support for this Agreement, there is no feeling that loyalists
are getting anywhere, there are no credible disbandment moves by the IRA
and the government is treating our prisoners like dirt," said one member of
the organisation's West Belfast Brigade.
"Nothing is written in stone but when this issue comes up for discussion at
our review then I'd be very surprised if there was anyone at all who starts
arguing to maintain the silence of the guns."
The chilling news is likely to come as a surprise to many who would scoff
at the idea that the UDA ever was on ceasefire.
In November the group was behind a vicious beating which killed Lisburn
Catholic man James McMahon.
Last week the UPRG, which speaks for the UDA, said the ceasefire was 'under
strain.'
That message was made even more clear by a long-serving member of the
organisation who said that all of its members in Northern Ireland were
angry.
The belief that Protestants are not getting their fair share of any spoils
arising out of the Good Friday Agreement has become a rallying cry inside
the UDA.
And coupled with the belief that the internal feud is at an end, it's
thought that the terror group might want to reunite itself with a killing
spree.
That could herald a return to violence by republicans - and bring the peace
process crashing down.
Security sources said they are aware of developments and that one theory is
that UDA is 'sabre rattling' in a bid to get more attention from the
government.
Last week the group stole the IRA's clothes and caused traffic chaos across
Belfast with a series of hoax bomb alerts, including, oddly enough, one at
the headquarters of the Orange Order in east Belfast.
That action came after a night of prison violence which caused tens of
thousands of pounds worth of damage.
The UDA called a one year ceasefire last February in the wake of the murder
of top dog John Gregg.
It's now coming under review and the signs are not good.
