as the percentage of recruits from both communities did not reflect the religious demographics of northern ireland, it never became the model lord hunt intended. catholics continued to join the regiment, but the numbers were never representative. they were highest in 3 udr, which had the highest percentage of catholics throughout the troubles, beginning with 30%, although this was a much lower percentage than that of the battalion area. some sections were staffed entirely by catholics, which led to protests from the b specials association that in 3 udr "preference for promotion and allocation of appointments was being given to catholics". this was partially explained by the fact that in the mostly catholic town of newry, the territorial army company of the royal irish fusiliers had been disbanded in 1968 and the vast majority of its soldiers had joined the udr en masse.