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Red Hand Commando
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<p>The Red Hand Commando (RHC) is a small secretive <a href="/facts/Ulster_loyalism/SrtM1aue">Ulster loyalist paramilitary</a> group in <a href="/facts/Northern_Ireland/Jmr0NRyl">Northern Ireland</a> that is closely linked to the <a href="/facts/Ulster_Volunteer_Force/tPQ4zDyY">Ulster Volunteer Force</a> (UVF). Its aim was to combat <a href="/facts/Irish_republicanism/r260ddGy">Irish republicanism</a> – particularly the <a href="/facts/Irish_Republican_Army/SC0Xh4Il">Irish Republican Army</a> (IRA) – and to maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">United Kingdom</a>. The Red Hand Commando carried out shootings and bombings, primarily targeting Catholic civilians. As well as allowing other loyalist groupings to claim attacks in their name, the organisation has also allegedly used the <a href="/facts/Cover_name/GehX8Qql">cover names</a> <a href="/facts/Red_Branch/nrvH9CQ8">"Red Branch Knights"</a> and "Loyalist Retaliation and Defence Group". It is named after the <a href="/facts/Red_Hand_of_Ulster/PwcpXoKA">Red Hand of Ulster</a>, and is unique among loyalist paramilitaries for its use of an <a href="/facts/Irish_language/Kw97s2l4">Irish language</a> motto, <i>Lámh Dearg Abú</i>, meaning 'red hand to victory'. </p><p>Writing in early 1973, Martin Dillon characterized the Red Hand Commando thus: "the composition of this group was highly selective, and it was very secret in its operations. Its membership was composed in the main of Protestant youths – the Tartans who roamed the streets at night looking for trouble. These youths longed for action, and McKeague let them have it." </p><p>The Red Hand Commando was the only major loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland not to have its ranks heavily penetrated by a so-called <a href="/facts/Supergrass_(informant)/jjb2XTjx">supergrass</a> or informant during the early 1980s; this was attributed to the group's secrecy (described as an "enigma") and opaque structure. </p><p>The RHC is a Proscribed Organisation in the United Kingdom under the <a href="/facts/Terrorism_Act_2000/kQMckdlc">Terrorism Act 2000</a>. The Red Hand Commando made a failed application in September 2017 to be removed from the list of proscribed organisations in the UK. </p>