If you watched No Stone Unturned, this will be very interesting.
With three more episodes to go, it appears that Spotlight on The Troubles: A Secret History will be moving its focus away from more IRA-centric activities towards prominent loyalist paramilitary groups.
After No Stone Unturned inspired such a strong reaction from viewers, the latest episode in BBC’s seven-part series will document how the guns used in that horrific attack came into the country.
The official synopsis states: “Episode five traces how unionist anger grew as IRA attacks on the security forces killed members of their community. When Margaret Thatcher signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, giving the Republic of Ireland political influence in the North, the anger spilled over into talk of insurrection.
“The programme reveals how loyalist groups rearmed and used intelligence leaks from soldiers and police to boost their campaign of killing, including new information about MI5 agents operating inside the largest loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association.”
The documentary shows how assault rifles and rocket launchers were brought into Northern Ireland by Ulster Resistance, via South Africa, in 1987.
Ulster Resistance (UR) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary movement established by Ulster loyalists in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The $120,000 arms shipment was sent to Northern Ireland and it was to be split three ways between Ulster Resistance, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force.
These weapons helped escalate loyalist violence and killings.
However, the UDA share of the shipment – including VZ58 rifles and grenades – was intercepted during a police operation in Portadown. Elsewhere, much of the UVF’s haul was recovered soon afterwards in a series of searches.
However, some of these guns would find their way to the Ulster Resistance and they were later used in fatal attacks that took place in Belfast, Derry and Down.
These VZ58 rifles would be used to kill at least 70 people, including three mass murders in south Belfast, Loughinisland and Derry.
The upcoming episode also contains new information about MI5 and army agents working at the heart of the UDA.
Spotlight on The Troubles: A Secret History airs at 9pm on Tuesday, 8 October on BBC 4 and BBC1 NI.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
