David Lister - Mad Dog: The Rise and Fall of Johnny Adair and ’C Company’

David Lister dedicates this book to his parents,
Ian and Angie Lister,

and Hugh Jordan to his deceased aunt,
Margaret Noone Murray.

The complex and insecure world of Ulster loyalism and its violent manifestation in Protestant terrorist groups has not to date been fully explored by writers and political analysts. By contrast, all aspects of militant Irish republicanism have been studied exhaustively. We hope this book goes some way to redressing the balance by providing an insight into arguably the most feared loyalist terrorist unit of the Troubles, the unique era in which it operated and the tiny clique who led it.

To many UDA members, C Company on the Shankill Road was their answer to the IRAs south Armagh brigade. Under Johnny Adairs command, they saw it as an elite unit that took the loyalist killing campaign of the early 1990s to a new level of ruthlessness. At a time when many working-class Protestants believed their culture and religion were under attack, they saw Adair as a hero who helped to take the war to the doorstep of the Provisionals.

This book is the product of many months of research, which have proved deeply engrossing for both authors. David Lister would like to thank Ben Preston, the Timess deputy editor, and his colleagues on the papers newsdesk above all Graham Paterson, John Wellman, Mike Harvey and Richard Duce. Hugh Jordan would like to thank Colm MacGinty, Jim McDowell and his other colleagues at the Sunday World. Both authors would like to acknowledge the support of all the staff at Mainstream Publishing, particularly Bill Campbell, Peter MacKenzie, Sharon Atherton, Tina Hudson, Graeme Blaikie and Ailsa Bathgate, whose patience was sorely tested. Our thanks must also go to Gerry Fanning of Fanning & Kelly Solicitors, Dublin, and Ted Jones of Jones & Company, Belfast.

People who helped us at various stages, and in many ways, include: Davy Adams, Jeremy Adams, Paul Armstrong, Jilly Beattie and her mad dogs, Joan Boyd, Colin Breen, Donna and Jane Carton, Andrew Clark, Liam Clarke, Robert Cole, Adrian Cox, John Creaney QC, Jim Cusack, Martin Dillon, David Dunseith, Davy Ervine, Alan Erwin, Fat Graham, Geraldine Finucane, Lisa and Cathy Gormley, Thomas Harding, Deric Henderson, Joe Hendron, Angus Horner, Bob Huggins, Billy Hutchinson, Kathy Johnston, Vincent Kearney, Justin Kernoghan, the great Alan Lewis, Walter Macauley, Bob McCartney, Conor McCaughley, Henry McDonald, Lindy McDowell, Dan McGinn, Kevin Magee, Sir Patrick Mayhew, Richard Mills, Chris Moore, John Mullin, Yvonne Murphy, Ted Oliver, Barry Penrose, Jackie Redpath, David Ross, Chris Ryder, David Sharrock (the Timess infamous bon viveur), Paddy and Edmund Simpson, Joe Stewart, Alan Templeton, Darwin Templeton, Bill Thompson, Stephen Walker, John Ware, Brian Wilson MP, John Dr Snuggles Young and the staff at Reliable Travel in Belfast.

The authors are at pains to stress that this is not an authorised biography of Johnny Adair. During a lengthy interview inside Maghaberry Prison and a series of telephone conversations, Johnny Adair blew hot and cold. When the mood took him, he spoke freely and we acknowledge that contribution. We were also helped by several other prisoners and prison staff, who must remain anonymous but who provided some extraordinary gems of information. On the Shankill Road, we are grateful to Winkie and Maureen Dodds, Tracey and Agnes Coulter, Mabel Adair and her daughters Margaret, Mabel Jnr, Jeanie, Etta and Lizzie. Jackie Legs Robinson, Adairs former girlfriend, provided an amazing insight into his character and never tired of answering our questions. A handful of people who grew up with Adair but subsequently lost touch with him provided some amazing glimpses into his early life.

A great many police officers, serving and retired, helped us throughout our research. Those who can be mentioned by name include Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White (currently chief of police in Basra in southern Iraq), and the retired officers Det. Supt Kevin Sheehy, Det. Sgt Alan Cormack, Det. Supt Tim McGregor, Det. Sgt Eamon Canavan, former Chief Super. George Caskey and former Chief Super. Eric Anderson. Above all, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to retired Det. Sgt Johnston Jonty Brown, who knows just how priceless he is, and his wife Rebecca.

Of the many loyalists who helped us, we are most indebted to seven C Coy gunmen, none of whom have been convicted of murder but nonetheless spoke to us at length. They were among Adairs elite and played central roles in his killing spree of the early 1990s. One is consistently mentioned by his real name. Four of them, who gave detailed accounts of their relationships with Adair, the methods and style of C Coy and the murders they took part in, are quoted as Davy, Pete, John and James. Their confessions are at times shocking, and we apologise for this to the families of their victims. However, in the interest of setting the record straight and spelling out the awful brutality of C Coys murderous exploits, we believe this was necessary. Wherever possible we have named the killers who did Adairs dirty work, though many more could not be named for legal reasons. As well as the murders they carried out, we have also gone into detail on their partying, social lives and sexual behaviour. Throughout this book, we have helped to describe this peculiar world with first-hand accounts from the people who knew Adair best. Their words speak louder than ours.

David Lister and Hugh Jordan

August 2004

Contents

A LIST OF MAIN CHARACTERS AND THEIR NICKNAMES

Mad Dog Johnny Adair. Also known as Pitbull, the Wee Man and Red Adair.

Mad Bitch Gina Adair, maiden name Crossan.

Skelly Sam McCrory, Adairs closest friend and a C Coy gunman. Skelly is gay, a fact that has led to constant speculation about Adairs sexuality.

Big Donald Donald Hodgen, one of Adairs oldest friends and a senior C Coy figure.

Fat Jackie Jackie Thompson, a C Coy gunman in the early 1990s and, like Hodgen, formerly one of Adairs closest associates.

Sham James Millar, also known as Boss Hogg after the money-grabbing villain in The Dukes of Hazzard, the American television series. A former C Coy driver and gunman and a major drug dealer.

Winkie William Dodds, a veteran C Coy gunman and for years one of Adairs closest allies.

Moe William Courtney, a C Coy gunman and, like Winkie, formerly one of Adairs closest allies.

Top Gun Stevie McKeag, Adairs most prolific gunman, who died of a cocaine overdose in September 2000.

Smickers Gary Smith, also known as Chiefo. Took over as C Coys leading gunman following McKeags arrest and imprisonment in 1993. Known for his unquestioning loyalty to Adair.

Spencer Jim Spence, Adairs erstwhile brigadier in west Belfast and for years a close friend.

Legs Jackie Robinson, Adairs former girlfriend and fiance, known for her slim figure and long legs.

King Rat Billy Wright, the founder of the LVF. Shot dead inside the Maze Prison in December 1997. Loathed Adair with a passion.

Swinger Mark Fulton, Wrights successor as head of the LVF and a friend of Adair. Found dead in his cell in Maghaberry Prison in June 2002.