An MLA has criticised a group which is said to be an advisory body connected to the UDA for an “absolutely sickening” post days before the Greysteel massacre.
On 30 October 1993, the small tightly knit Co Derry village of Greysteel, was rocked by what was viewed as one of the most heinous atrocities of the Troubles, which took place the night before Halloween.
Shortly before 10pm, two masked loyalist gunmen opened fire on civilians in a crowded pub during a Halloween party, killing eight and wounding nineteen.
A third gunman, armed with a sawn-off shotgun, stood guard outside the bar.
Six of the victims were Catholics and two were from the Protestant community.
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said: “For a group with links to the UDA to make a post like this days before the anniversary of the Greysteel Massacre is absolutely sickening.
“It shows a total disregard for victims and their families and will further compound the hurt they feel at what is always a very difficult time of year for people in Greysteel.
“The strength and dignity of the families stands in stark contrast to those behind this hateful post.”
Post on the UPRG Facebook page.
The PSNI said it is aware of the post and making enquiries.
The Greysteel victims were young and old, from 19-year-old hairdresser Karen Thompson to 82-year-old construction worker James Moore.
One of the gunmen was heard shouting “trick or treat, you b*******” before he fired into the crowded bar.
When the magazine of the assault rifle was empty, he re-loaded and continued to fire with a second magazine, according to a Police Ombudsman report.
The UDA, using the cover name of the UFF, claimed responsibility for the attack.
The UFF claimed that it had attacked the “nationalist electorate” in revenge for the Shankill Road Bombing on October 23.
The UPRG is a an advisory body connected to the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), providing advice to them on political matters.
On its Facebook page, the South Londonderry-Tyrone UPRG shared a post about Halloween with the words ‘trick or treat’, adding ‘stay safe at Halloween’.
The UPRG began as the New Ulster Political Research Group which was set up in 1978.
In 2007, the government has announced that it would give more than £1m to a project aimed at moving the UDA away from violence and crime.
The funding application was drawn up after widespread consultation with UDA members in a series of meetings throughout Northern Ireland.
The UPRG claimed there was a genuine desire to change and for the UDA to become a community association rather than a terrorist group.
In return for the funding, the government wanted to see the end of all UDA violence and criminality, including extortion rackets and drug dealing.
If there was no noticeable reduction in these activities, the UPRG had been told that the funding will be withdrawn
In more recent time, the West Belfast UPRG account on Twitter was criticised for sending trolling and derogatory messages,
A 2015 assessment of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland found that “individual members and some senior figures within many UDA areas are involved in organised crime including drug dealing, robbery, extortion, and the distribution of counterfeit and contraband goods.”
The UPRG has been contacted for comment.