In the mid-1980s, Douglas Hurd, the Secretary for Northern Ireland, was harshly critiqued during a meal with Catholic clergymen due to the controversial actions of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
The most striking assessment occurred at a dinner in Belfast, attributed to Father Hugh Murphy, a priest who suffered a kidnapping by two veiled loyalist paramilitaries in 1978. He was threatened that unless a captured RUC officer was set free, his life would end. The priest recalled later that the judge in the involving trial showed compassion for the convicted member of the RUC, a Protestant, but offered no consolation to him.
The clergyman told the Secretary at this dinner in February 1985, as recorded by an official, that it was commonly understood that lawyers sought specific judges predisposed to their cases.
Hurd received general condemnation from the Catholic priests regarding the UDR’s approach. They accused the UDR of specifically targeting those they knew were Catholics, forcing them out of their vehicles and making them stand spread-eagled against walls or committing other forms of abuse.
The UDR was perceived by numerous “moderate Catholics” to be comparable to loyalist paramilitary organizations, such as the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Ulster Defence Association, or the republican counterparts, the IRA or the Irish National Liberation Army.
Another priest suggested to Hurd that the UDR should be explicitly barred by British authorities from policing Catholic areas, and all UDR patrols should be either led by commissioned officers or escorted by RUC officers.
Despite the wide-ranging criticisms within the nationalist community, Hurd sought to shield the reputation of the UDR, stating that there were several honourable individuals within the UDR, who, despite personal dangers, carried out their duties impartially and proficiently.