LOYALIST terror boss Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair has vowed to return to Northern Ireland again to confront UDA leaders after a daring visit to the Shankhill Road in Belfast.

Adair, aged 39, has been living in Chorley New Road, Horwich, with his wife Gina and their children since his release from Maghaberry Prison, where he had been jailed for engaging in terrorist activities and breaking the terms of his early relase under the Good Friday agreement.

But despite death threats from his former colleagues in the UDA, he returned to his former home last Thursday.

The visit outraged UDA supporters who have pledged to increase their efforts to kill their former colleague.

During the trip, which lasted just a few hours, Adair also went to the home of enemy and top UDA man John Spence, where he stood outside to pose for photographs. It is not clear if Spence was at home or whether he knew about Adair's visit.

Adair was driven around Belfast by minder and associate Gary Smith and also posed for pictures by a banner belonging to his supporters in Portadown.

Within hours, Adair was catching the ferry back to Hollyhead before returning to Bolton.

But the Belfast visit has been described as a dangerous stunt by politicians and it has created instability and fear in the Shankill Road.

Adair is unrepentant and has vowed to make further visits to Northern Ireland.

In an interview with Belfast's Sunday Life newspaper, he said: "I have said all along that I would visit the homes of the top UDA men to show them that I wasn't afraid to confront them.

"I decided to start at the top with my first visit and that's why I went to Spence's home.

"I have said it before and I'll say it again - I will be making visits to the cowards who tried to kill my family and placed me under a death threat.""

Adair and his supporters and family were driven out of Northern Ireland after the murder of UDA godfather John Gregg in February 2003.

The majority of them have settled in the Bolton area, but Adair says he is determined to return to Belfast to live.

Speaking in Northern Ireland, Adair said: "This is my home. I may have just made a flying visit this time, but when I come back again, it will be for good."