As a shop steward and paramilitary leader, Andy Tyrie played a leading role in the 15-day long, 1974 Ulster Workers’ Council strike which rendered Northern Ireland ungovernable and doomed political attempts at cross-community power-sharing for decades.
Tyrie, who has died aged 85, headed the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), which organised roadblocks and pickets – closing factories, pubs, Belfast’s shipyards, Larne port, Ballylumford power station and other essential services. Those who tried to work were intimidated.
