John Boreland

John Boreland
Image of Boreland released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland following his death
Born1969
Died (aged 46)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Cause of deathGunshot wound
Body discoveredSunningdale Gardens, North Belfast
NationalityBritish
OrganizationUlster Defence Association
Known forFootballer, loyalist paramilitary
TitleUDA North Belfast Brigadier
Term2003–2004
PredecessorIhab Shoukri
SuccessorAndre Shoukri
Criminal charge(s)Blackmail, intimidation, firearm possession
Criminal penaltyNine years imprisonment
Criminal statusReleased
Children3

William John Boreland[1] (1969 – 7 August 2016) was a Northern Irish footballer and loyalist activist. He came to prominence in the early years of the 21st century when he served as leader of the North Belfast Brigade of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and, as such, one of the six commanders of the movement as a whole. Boreland was killed in a shooting at his Belfast home in 2016.

  1. ^ Some sources spell his surname as Borland and there is also source variance regarding which of his given names he used.