What are reasons to be a loyalist?
Loyalists, often called Tories, were loyal to the crown for several reasons. They were mostly upper class and lived in cities and wanted to keep their wealth and land. Many had valuable ties with the British and jobs in the government.
Did loyalists fight in the Revolutionary War?
Loyalists came from all walks of life. The majority were small farmers, artisans and shopkeepers. During the Revolution, most Loyalists suffered little from their views. However, a minority, about 19,000 Loyalists, armed and supplied by the British, fought in the conflict.
How has hard Brexit affected Northern Ireland’s loyalists?
Northern Ireland’s justice minister has said the government’s “dishonesty” over the consequences of hard Brexit has contributed to the anger felt by loyalists, as police counted the cost of 41 officers injured during violence on the streets over four nights.
Who were the loyalists and what did they do?
Loyalists killed more than 1,000 people between 1969 and 1994. Many of them were Catholics, shot for no other reason than their religion. “The basis of the UVF was that the only way to get rid of the IRA was to attack the Catholic community,” admits former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) prisoner Billy Hutchinson.
Are any Loyalists still alive from the 1970s?
Many of the leading loyalist figures from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are now dead. Billy Hutchinson is one of the few high-profile loyalists still prepared to talk openly about the past. “I got involved because my community was being attacked by the IRA and nobody was defending it,” he said
Did the security forces collude with loyalists?
Rather than trying to stop loyalists, some elements of the security forces colluded with them. Many of the leading loyalist figures from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are now dead. Billy Hutchinson is one of the few high-profile loyalists still prepared to talk openly about the past.