John 'Bonzer' Boreland
Andre Shoukri
John Bunting
Feuding UDA factions have approached the UVF to supply them with guns.
Tensions remain high in north Belfast following the attempted murder last month of senior loyalist paramilitary John ‘Bonzer’ Boreland and one time brigadier Andre Shoukri amid fears the city is on the edge of a full blown feud.
The Sunday World can reveal that elements within the mainstream UDA have not only approached their comrades in south Belfast, but have also gone to the UVF with their begging bowls.
Elements within the so called dissident UDA faction have also approached the south Belfast paramilitaries in a desperate search for guns and it is understood a small quantity of guns and explosives has already been transferred to the dissidents.
It is not clear if the weapons came from the UDA or UVF but it is known that both organisations in the south of the city have retained a stockpile of guns.
Despite publicly claiming to have put their weaponry beyond use, the UDA on Sandy Row kept a substantial arms cache including a significant number of hand guns and explosives.
Loyalist sources have told us the guns were kept without the knowledge of south Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald, but the revelation will come as a shock to the veteran paramilitary chief who is understood to have become increasingly frustrated at the growing internal turmoil in the organisation.
John Bunting of Stonbridge Avenue, Conlig, John Howcroft of Formby Park and Darren McAllister of Alliance Road in Belfast are currently in custody charged with the attempted murder of the pair.
A close ally of John Bunting, McDonald was involved in talks aimed at heading off a damaging feud. News that his organisation has supplied guns to the warring factions will be alarming.
The UVF too has been approached. As previously revealed in the Sunday World a disgruntled faction within the organisation has been actively importing clean guns from England and stockpiling explosives.
A number of senior figures are understood to be in favour of handing over weaponry to the UDA dissident element.
The latest development comes as Bunting failed in his latest bid to secure bail.
Belfast Magistrate’s Court heard how Boreland and Shoukri came under close range gun attack in a “casual and off the cuff” attempt to kill them.
A gunman got down on one knee to open fire from as little as six feet away in north Belfast, it was claimed.
Prosecutors also said the pair have received threats since the suspected shooting which is being linked to a feud between rival loyalist factions.
Bunting, 47, and who is described as a ‘community worker’ is alleged to have ordered the hit.
The Court heard Boreland and Shoukri allegedly came under gun attack as they drove through Carr’s Glen Park in the Ballysillan area.
They claim shots were fired after they got out of their car to confront of a group of men who had thrown an object at the vehicle.
Prosecutor John O’Neill said Bunting is alleged to have given the order “get the pieces” before his two co-accused produced handguns.
According to Shoukri’s account to police Bunting then instructed: “Right, do them.”
At that point Howcroft allegedly got down on one knee and fired two shoots at the pair before they started to flee, the court was told.
Denying bail District judge Amanda Henderson said: “I share the concerns that there is, while this investigation continues, still a risk of interference with the course of justice and re-offending.”
Bunting was remanded in custody and is due to reappear on September 18. He waved to family and friends as he was led from the dock.