RED HAND DEFENDERS Terrorist Group Group Presentation: Candace Munoz Desiree Lampkins Erika Ramos Parambir Sangha

Who Are They? Extremist group Formed in 1998 Cover name used by the banned Ulster Defense Association and Loyalist Volunteer Force Red Hand of Ulster is commonly associated with Protestants; also used by unionists and loyalists to symbolize Northern Ireland

Loyalist Volunteer Force and Ulster Defense Association Loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland Outlawed as terrorist organizations in the UK and Ireland Groups express denounce support for the Good Friday Agreement Seen to be defending the loyalist community from Irish republican terrorism Their objectives being to retain British rule in Northern Ireland

Their Philosophy Red Hand Defender name is used by larger loyalist groups to conduct attacks while their organizations appear to observe cease-fires Opposed to the Good Friday Agreement Inspired from scripture from the Bible Deuteronomy 7:2 “And the Lord thy God shall have delivered them to thee: thou shalt utterly destroy them. Thou shalt make no league with them, nor show mercy to them…neither shalt thou make marriages with them”

Good Friday Agreement Also known as the Belfast Agreement Major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process It was signed in Belfast on April 10th, 1998 (Good Friday) by the British and the Irish governments and endorsed by most Northern Ireland political parties Some Main Provisions of the Agreement…

ATTACKS/MEMBERS 28 Attacks were done by the Red Hand Defenders in the years of 1998-2002 There are 20 members in this terrorist group

Targets/Finance There Targets: Finances: Churches Homes Private businesses Finances: Many sources say that the RHD have no external aid

Conflict The conflict in Northern Ireland is both religious and political. Ireland was divided in 1920 one half remained part of the United Kingdom and the other half became the Republic of Ireland. Many of the catholic republicans have complained because they feel the government is treating them like second class citizens and want to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland but most of the protestants want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Activities The UVF has been active in Belfast and the border areas of Northern Ireland bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, extortion, and robberies. On occasion, it has provided advance warning to police of its attacks. The Independent Monitoring Commission has said that the UVF was responsible for four killings in 2005

THERE FIRST ATTACK!! On October 31st, 1998 RED HAND DEFENDERS (RHD) ATTACKED PRIVATE CITIZENS & PROPERTY TARGET Target: Private Citizens & Property\ Tactic: Assassination Weapon: Firearms Fatalities: 1 Injuries: Unknown Attack Claimed: Yes Description: The Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for killing Brian Service, a Catholic man, as he walked home on the streets of Belfast. He was shot several times in the back and head. Service had no apparent connections to any terrorist groups and seems to have been targeted only because he was Catholic.

There Last Attack December 19, 2002 RED HAND DEFENDERS (RHD) ATTACKED PRIVATE CITIZENS & PROPERTY TARGET Target: Private Citizens & Property Tactic: Bombing Weapon: Explosives Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Attack Claimed: Yes Description: Loyalists are being blamed for throwing a pipe bomb into a home in north Belfast. Twin boys, aged 6, who were asleep at the time of the attack were unharmed. It is believed that this home was targeted because the owner, Terri Fegan's boyfriend is a republican. The blast blew a large hole in the front door of the home. Note: The Red Hand Defenders later claimed responsibility for this attack, which was designed to make nationalists fearful during the Christmas holiday.

References Pike, J. (2003). Red hand defenders. Retrieved January 31, 2007, from http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/rhd.htm Red hand defenders. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2007, from http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=93 Belfast agreement. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday_Agreement Ulster defence association. (n.d). Retrieved February 10, 2007, from http://www.answers.com.topic/ulster-defence-association Loyalist volunteer force. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/topic/loyalist-volunteer-force