Troops on alert after loyalist Adair jailed

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- Troops are on alert in Belfast following the return of loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair to prison.

Adair, nicknamed Mad Dog, was arrested on the orders of Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson following a spate of violence between loyalist groups in which two men were shot.

Troops, deployed on Belfast's streets for the first time in two years, took up positions around Adair's house on Tuesday amid fears that the arrest would spark violence.

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A crowd of between 60 and 70 had gathered at one end of the street of the former leader of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) which was blocked off by RUC vehicles and police in riot gear.

But Tuesday night passed without incident and intensive talks are due to continue between the British Government and Northern Irish political groups to keep the peace process on track amid the current tensions.

John White, chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party which has close ties to the UFF, said that Adair's arrest would "exacerbate and inflame" tensions.

He said: "I think the police have made a mistake in re-arresting Mr Adair.

"If they are accusing him of orchestrating the recent troubles, he will be able to do that from inside prison as well as out. They have taken a big risk."

Mandelson has warned any prisoners released under the 1998 Good Friday peace could be re-arrested if violence between the Protestant paramilitary groups continued.

"Anyone who is guilty of causing an affray faces arrest," he said, adding that Adair has "thoroughly compromised himself in his behaviour."

Adair, who was released five years into 16-year prison sentence for directing terrorism last September, had been seen during the summer at the head of the Drumcree marching dispute and at other so-called paramilitary shows-of-strength.

The arrest comes amid clashes between the UDA, which is linked to the UFF, and the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Adair had been stopped in his car by police and ordered onto the ground at gunpoint and handcuffed before being transferred by helicopter to Northern Ireland's Maghaberry prison.

Mandelson said he had taken the decision to suspend the good behaviour licence "after receiving a full report from the security forces and on the advice of the police."

Mandelson said his priority was the safety of the people in Northern Ireland. "I cannot give freedom to an individual intent on abusing it," he said.

"I urge community and political leaders to come forward now and show leadership. Loyalists must put the feuds of the past behind them for the sake of the new generation and the new prosperity we want in Northern Ireland."

Ken Maginnis from the mainly Protestant Ulster Unionists welcomed the arrest, but said the authorities had been slow to act.

"We had to do something about the political violence," he said. "We are faced with a mafia dealing with illegal actions, drugs trafficking, engaged in prostitution -- this has to be stopped."

Soldiers set up checkpoints and patrolled parts of Belfast on Tuesday as the feud between the pro-British loyalist groups threatened to escalate and damage the peace process.

Two men -- one of them a close associate of Adair -- were shot dead on Monday. Both had links to the UDA.

They were killed by a lone gunman as they sat in their car outside a betting shop. One man died on the spot and the second in hospital.

One of the men -- Bobby Mahood -- had been a driver and helper for CNN crews and correspondents to cover the conflict in his homeland for several years. The other was UDA member Jackie Coulter.

The incident led to outbreaks of violence in the Shankill Road area of Belfast.

Former N.Irish paramilitary back in jail
Adair: Opponent of loyalist truce
UK troops return to Belfast streets
Protestant party vote is crucial for peace process

Royal Ulster Constabulary
UKJ Northern Ireland Office

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