John McMichael, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

John McMichael

Northern Irish politician

Date of Birth: 09-Jan-1948

Place of Birth: Lisburn, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Date of Death: 22-Dec-1987

Profession: politician

Nationality: United Kingdom

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

John "Big John" McMichael (9 January 1948 – 22 December 1987) was a leading Northern Ireland loyalist who rose to become the most prominent and charismatic figure within the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) as the Deputy Commander and leader of its South Belfast Brigade.
He was also commander of the organisation's cover name, the "Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), overseeing an assassination campaign against prominent republican figures whose details were included in a notorious "shopping list" derived from leaked security forces documents.
The UDA used the UFF name when it wished to claim responsibility for attacks, thus allowing it to remain a legal paramilitary organisation until August 1992 when it was proscribed by the British Government. McMichael held political office as leader of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) from 1981 until his death.
He was killed outside his home by a booby-trap car bomb which was carried out by the Provisional IRA.