List of Loyalist Prisoners Released under the Good Friday Agreement

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The Good Friday Agreement marked a historic turning point for Northern Ireland, ending decades of conflict and paving the way for a new era of peace and reconciliation. As part of the agreement, a number of loyalist prisoners were released from prison, signaling a commitment to reconciliation and forgiveness.

Here is a list of some of the most prominent loyalist prisoners released under the Good Friday Agreement:

1. Michael Stone – Stone was a loyalist paramilitary who gained notoriety for his attack on mourners at an IRA funeral in 1988. He was later imprisoned for plotting to attack an IRA funeral in 2006.

2. Johnny Adair – Adair was a former leader of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and was responsible for numerous sectarian murders. He was released from prison in 1999 but was later returned to prison for breaching the terms of his release.

3. Gary Haggarty – Haggarty was a former leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and was responsible for numerous sectarian murders. He was released from prison in 2000 but was later arrested and charged with a string of murders committed during the Troubles.

4. William “Plum” Smith – Smith was a former leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and was imprisoned for his role in the murder of a Catholic taxi driver in 1977. He was released from prison in 2000.

5. Ken Barrett – Barrett was a former member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and was imprisoned for his role in the murder of a Catholic man in 1992. He was released from prison in 2006.

The release of these and other loyalist prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement was a controversial decision, with some arguing that it amounted to a de facto amnesty for those who had committed crimes during the Troubles. However, others view the release of these prisoners as a necessary step towards reconciliation and peace in Northern Ireland.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is clear that the release of these loyalist prisoners was a significant moment in Northern Ireland`s history, one that helped pave the way for a brighter, more peaceful future.