Timeline of Ulster Defence Regiment Operations - 1989

1989

• In a joint operation with the RUC 3 UDR discover and put out of action a "sophisticated" Loyalist weapons factory in Ballynahinch.
• 14 March - Following the murder on the edge of Dungannon of a part-time private from 8 UDR the battalion flew in patrols supported by the police to conduct a follow-up search. The six men involved in the killing had abandoned their getaway car, two rifles, masks and clothing. All six were arrested and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. A patrol from 2 UDR stopped a car between Armagh and the Moy arresting all four occupants. A follow-up search (jointly with the police) recovered two AK47's, two shotguns, two grenade launchers, ammunition, timing devices and Semtex explosive. 7/10 UDR arrest three Loyalists in possession of two home made machine guns. They had been involved in a drive by shooting at a republican club in the Markets area of the city.
• 17 March - 8 UDR find a rifle, hand grenade, bomb making equipment and a bomb near Cappagh.
• 21 March - At the request of the RUC, 7/10 UDR conduct a search of the Markets area and recover two rilfes and 200 rounds of ammunition. A similar search with the battalion and RUC later in the month turned up 600 lbs of home made explosive hidden in a domestic coal bunker.
• June - 8 UDR find an improvised grenade launcher and ammunition near Cappagh.
• 12 October - 7/10 UDR provide escorts to the police during Loyalist protest riots in east Belfast.
• December - 8 UDR find two drogue bombs in a car in Coalisland and arrest two suspects. In another search several days later they found two rifles and a pump action shotgun concealed in a manure heap.