DAVY TWEED'S TRAGIC END IN BALLYMONEY: FROM RUGBY STAR TO ROAD ACCIDENT HORROR

In the picturesque surroundings of Ballymoney, County Antrim, the life of Davy Tweed came to a sudden and tragic end on October 28, 2021. As he was riding his motorbike along the scenic roads near the Irish whiskey village of Bushmills, Tweed, who was nearly 62 years old, lost control of his vehicle at the junction of Whitepark Road and Tully Road. The accident was devastating; he was thrown across the road and collided with a fence post, resulting in a broken neck that caused his instant death.

Many in Ballymoney remembered Tweed as a familiar figure, especially given his past sporting achievements and political involvement. Growing up on a family farm near Dunloy, Tweed was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, inspired by local legends like Joey Dunlop, the renowned speed merchant. Tweed once dreamed of emulating Dunlop’s success, boasting about his friendship with the famous rider and even claiming to have a UVF tattoo, which he later tried to modify into a less contentious image before international rugby commitments.

His early ambitions in motorcycle racing were cut short after a serious accident that resulted in a broken ankle. Subsequently, he turned to rugby, a sport he had little interest in initially but discovered he was naturally talented at. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Tweed used his imposing physique to dominate opponents, often pushing them aside with male aggression that made him a formidable player. With the help of his father’s connections, he secured employment as a maintenance inspector for Northern Ireland Railways and began playing for Ballymoney RFC.

His rugby career flourished when he made his debut for Ulster, earning 30 caps, and in 1995, he achieved the significant milestone of representing Ireland in the Rugby World Cup. At 36, he became the oldest debutant to wear the Irish jersey. His reputation in the sport was complemented by his tough persona, which included displaying a UVF tattoo and a reputation for bravado. However, behind this tough exterior lay a complex and troubled man.

In 2012, Tweed was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for serious child sex offenses involving two female victims. His conviction was later overturned in 2016 after the Court of Appeal found that the jury had not been properly informed about the 'bad character clause' during his trial. Despite his criminal past, Tweed was reintegrated into Protestant civic society, rejoining the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. He also became involved with the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney, attending services regularly.

Throughout his life, Tweed’s personal relationships were marred by violence and intimidation. His wife, Margaret Brown, whom he married in 1990, endured years of physical abuse, including assaults that left her with injuries and threats of violence involving paramilitary groups. Witnesses recounted instances where Tweed battered her head against their family car and even threatened her with a chainsaw, all while exhibiting violent temper tantrums. Margaret, who later publicly condemned her husband's actions, described her fear and suffering during their marriage.

During family holidays, such as a trip to Fuerteventura, Margaret observed disturbing behaviors, including Tweed asking teenage girls to join him for drinks and physically assaulting their daughter Catherine in public. Neighbors and friends also reported that Tweed’s mood swings and violent outbursts created a tense and fearful environment at their home in Ballymoney. On one occasion, he was found with three large kitchen knives tucked into his waistband, ready for confrontation, which only police intervention prevented from escalating.

There are persistent rumors and claims that Tweed falsely boasted of being a member of loyalist paramilitary groups like the UVF, though former loyalist prisoners have suggested that his claims were exaggerated and often made under the influence of alcohol. His threats and intimidation tactics extended to his wife and family, with reports of him physically assaulting Margaret and threatening her and her family members with violence, including during episodes where he was intoxicated.

Despite his violent tendencies and criminal record, Tweed maintained a public image as a prominent unionist politician and rugby star. He served on Ballymena council representing both the Democratic Unionist Party and later the Traditional Unionist Voice, with tributes pouring in from political figures such as Jim Allister and Ian Paisley Jr., who expressed shock and sadness at his death. Paisley described Tweed as a well-known Ulster figure, while others remembered him as a larger-than-life character.

However, not everyone mourned his passing. His daughter, Lorraine, who later became an advocate against child abuse, publicly expressed her relief and disdain for her father, describing him as an evil man and a violent bully who caused her and her mother immense suffering. Naomi Finlay, another young woman and daughter of a lifelong friend, also condemned Tweed, calling him a monster and criticizing the community’s sympathy towards him.

In the days following his death, questions about Tweed’s true character and past actions resurfaced. Former neighbors and acquaintances recounted his history of threats, violence, and false claims of paramilitary involvement. It is widely believed that Tweed often used the guise of loyalist paramilitary affiliation to intimidate others, though evidence suggests he was not an actual member of any such group.

His wife Margaret, who endured years of abuse, and his children, who suffered in silence, now face a future without him. The tragic end of Davy Tweed’s life leaves behind a complex legacy marked by sporting achievement, political involvement, and a dark history of violence and criminality, which continues to evoke strong reactions from the community and beyond.