Ulster Army Council

An umbrella group of Loyalist paramilitaries which was set up in 1973. The UAC was headed by Andy Tyrie who at the time was commander of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). The UAC covered the following groups: UDA, Orange Volunteers, Down Orange Welfare, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, Ulster Volunteer Service Corps, and Red Hand Commandos. The main aim of the UAC was to set up a Loyalist army of 20,000 men to take control of Northern Ireland if needed. The UAC was replaced by the Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee (ULCCC) after the Loyalist strike in 1974.