uvf gusty spence funeral

[21] Some unionists feared Irish nationalism and launched an opposing response in Northern Ireland. [45], Released from prison in 1984, Spence soon became a leading member of the UVF-linked Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and a central figure in the Northern Ireland peace process. The group undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles. In the 1960s, he founded the modern Ulster Volunteer Force, an organisation which was responsible for hundreds of sectarian murders during the Troubles. The family of the former UVF leader Gusty Spence is planning a funeral with the emphasis on his British army past rather than his time in the paramilitary group. With a few exceptions, such as Mid-Ulster brigadier Billy Hanna (a native of Lurgan), the Brigade Staff members have been from the Shankill Road or the neighbouring Woodvale area to the west. [149] It is estimated that the UVF nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its Loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association. In 1972, five Toronto businessmen shipped weapons in grain container ships out of Halifax, bound for ports in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland which were destined for loyalist militants. 28 September 2011 Gusty Spence announced the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994 Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of the former loyalist leader Gusty Spence. "Sunningdale pushed hard-liners into fatal outrages in 1974". The UVF was also clashing with the UDA in the summer of 2000. But despite the statement, the UVF was subsequently involved in sporadic violence, including several murders. The UVF stated that the attempted attack was a protest against the Irish Army units "still massed on the border in County Donegal". The party's former leader Dawn Purvis told his funeral in the loyalist heartland of Belfasts Shankill Road that Mr Spence became involved in violence in the 1960s. [46] This resulted in a sharp increase in sectarian killings and internecine feuding, both with the UDA and within the UVF itself. They were blamed by the PSNI on members of the UVF, who also said UVF guns had been used to try to kill police officers. Mr Spence argued for a ceasefire with republicans from as early as the mid-1970s and played a key role in encouraging young loyalists he met in prison to think of the reasons for their involvement in violence. [66] The UVF also killed senior IRA paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper' Burns and Larry Marley. [54] This was endorsed by Gusty Spence, who issued a statement asking all UVF volunteers to support the new regime. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The arms are thought to have consisted of: The UVF used this new infusion of arms to escalate their campaign of sectarian assassinations. In March and April that year, UVF and UPV members bombed water and electricity installations in Northern Ireland, blaming them on the dormant IRA and elements of the civil rights movement. A piper leads a procession for Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicholas Vella in La Habra, CA on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The UVF killed four men in Belfast and trouble ended only when the LVF announced that it was disbanding in October of that year. Veteran anti-UVF campaigner Raymond McCord, whose son, Raymond Jr., a Protestant, was beaten to death by UVF men in 1997, estimates the UVF has killed more than thirty people since its 1994 ceasefire, most of them Protestants. Spence's biographer Roy Garland said he had formed unlikely relationships and challenged conventional loyalist thinking. Ontario is to Ulster Protestants what Boston is to Irish Catholics." The UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade was founded in 1972 in Lurgan by Billy Hanna, a sergeant in the UDR and a member of the Brigade Staff, who served as the brigade's commander, until he was shot dead in July 1975. "However he did dedicate himself to peace and reconciliation for much of his later life so he will also be remembered as a major influence in drawing loyalism away from sectarian strife," he added. [2] He ran his part of the Maze along military lines, drilling inmates and training them in weapons use while also expecting a maintenance of discipline. Thirty-three people were killed and almost 300 injured. Spence said loyalists offered "abject and true remorse" to the loved ones of all the innocent victims of the Troubles. However, the UVF spurned the government efforts and continued killing. This was a general strike in protest against the Sunningdale Agreement, which meant sharing political power with Irish nationalists and the Republic having more involvement in Northern Ireland. Progress is being made, inch by inch. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Instead his coffin was adorned with the beret and regimental flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles, his former regiment. Another former PUP leader, Dawn Purvis, said Spence's opinions began to shift sooner than is generally perceived. A number of friends and family members spoke at the service at St Michael's Church of Ireland on the Shankill Road. On 23 October 1972, the UVF carried out an armed raid against King's Park camp, a UDR/Territorial Army depot in Lurgan. Another loyalist paramilitary organisation called Ulster Resistance was formed on 10 November 1986. One of the first UVF members to be convicted of murder, Spence was a senior figure in the organisation for over a decade. Since the ceasefire, the UVF has been involved in rioting, drug dealing, organised crime, loan-sharking and prostitution. [164], For the original Ulster Volunteer Force, see, Aaron Edwards - UVF: Behind the Mask pp. [29] Unionist support for O'Neill waned, and on 28 April he resigned as Prime Minister. Notable mourners included Unionist politicians Dawn Purvis, Mike Nesbitt, Michael McGimpsey, Hugh Smyth and Brian Ervine, UVF chief John "Bunter" Graham and UDA South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald. The UVF agreed to a ceasefire in October 1994. Tributes were paid to former leading loyalist paramilitary turned peacemaker Gusty Spence at his funeral in Belfast today. This move came as the organisation held high-level discussions about its future. However, RUC Special Branch believed that his brother Billy, who kept a much lower public profile, was the real leader of the group. [10] Spence then found employment at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, where he worked as a stager (builder of the scaffolding in which the ships are constructed), a skilled job that commanded respect amongst working class Protestants and ensured for Spence a higher status within the Shankill. The widow of former PUP leader David Ervine, Jeanette, also attended. The 78-year-old had been ill for some time. "[140], Protestants in Canada also supported the loyalist paramilitaries in the conflict. Spence in 1972, while at large from prison, National Committee on American Foreign Policy, Biographies of people prominent during 'the Troubles': S, "CAIN: Background: Chronology of Key Events 1800 to 1967". A controlled explosion was carried out and the bomb was later declared a hoax. "CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths crosstabulations", "UVF disbands unit linked to taxi murder", Law and order Belfast-style as two men are forced on a 'walk of shame', 'Report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning', Twenty-Fourth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, "David Madine admits trying to kill loyalist Harry Stockman", "Police say UVF gunman seen in Rathcoole during trouble". With Moore now deceased, the only senior figure still alive is "Mr A". "While the talks may be slow, they are the only glint on the horizon, he said. It was not in his later life. Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said many nationalists would remember Spence as someone "who was central to the sectarianism that gave birth to the modern loyalist paramilitary". [151] On 10 February 1976, following the sudden uptick of violence against Catholic civilians by loyalist militants, Irish cardinal William Conway and nine other Catholic bishops met with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his cabinet, asking them as to where the loyalist militants had acquired guns, to which Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Merlyn Rees replied "Canada". Read about our approach to external linking. [40] However, Spence's ideas were abandoned as the UVF ceasefire fell apart that same year following the Ulster Workers' Council strike and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; the carnage of the latter had shocked and horrified Spence. The group concluded a general acceptance of the need to decommission, though there was no conclusive proof of moves towards this end. It issued a statement vowing to "remove republican elements from loyalist areas" and stop them "reaping financial benefit therefrom". "[18], In November 2013, after a series of shootings and acts of intimidation by the UVF, Police Federation Chairman Terry Spence declared that the UVF ceasefire was no longer active. [citation needed] The feud between the UVF and the LVF erupted again in the summer of 2005. The family of the former UVF leader Gusty Spence is planning a funeral with the emphasis on his British army past rather than his time in the paramilitary group. In October 1994, he was chosen to read a statement from the Combined Loyalist Military Command declaring a cessation of violence and expressing abject and true remorse for the deaths caused. This building had been an important training centre for members of Edward Carson's original UVF. [22] Spence's involvement in the killings gave him legendary status among many young loyalists and he was claimed as an inspiration by the likes of Michael Stone. One of the first UVF members to be convicted of murder, Spence was a senior figure in the organisation for over a decade. The ferry [between Scotland and Northern Ireland] was pivotal in getting arms into the north and anything like checkpoints, or armed police and Army in Scotland would have b******d that all up.[148] An Irish government memo written by David Donoghue stated: "The commonest contribution of Scots UDA and UVF is to send gelignite. [13][14][15][16][17] The other main loyalist paramilitary group during the conflict was the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), which had a much larger membership. [87][88], On the night of 20 June 2011, riots involving 500 people erupted in the Short Strand area of East Belfast. The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. On 17 February 1979, the UVF carried out its only major attack in Scotland, when its members bombed two pubs in Glasgow frequented by Irish-Scots Catholics. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland. Formed in 1965, it first emerged in 1966. [79], In 2008, a loyalist splinter group calling itself the "Real UVF" emerged briefly to make threats against Sinn Fin in County Fermanagh. He was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison. None the less, they ransacked the house and stole Spence's army medals, while the Spence family were forced to stay off the Shankill for the entirety of the loyalist feud. [108], The UVF's stated goal was to combat Irish republicanism particularly the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. THE self described "old UVF man", Mr Gusty Spence (64), gave a brief oration at the funeral of Mr Jim Lynch (72), a former officer commanding (OC) of the IRA, at Cootehill, Co Cavan,. Bistir na Seanchille. [42] Both the UVF and the British Government have denied the claims. This collection contains Gusty Spence's personal and business correspondence from 1959-1998, the bulk of which was written during Spence's time in prison (1966-1984). At the same time, he distanced himself from any policy of random murders of Catholics. Wright was apparently enraged by the nickname and made numerous threats to O'Hagan and Campbell. Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of the former loyalist leader Gusty Spence. The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. [80], In the twentieth IMC report, the group was said to be continuing to put its weapons "beyond reach", (in the group's own words) to downsize, and reduce the criminality of the group. [17], He was entrusted by the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) to read out their 13 October 1994 statement that announced the loyalist ceasefire. Augustus Andrew Spence (28 June 1933[2] 25 September 2011) was a leader of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and a leading loyalist politician in Northern Ireland. [2], In August 2000, Spence was caught up in moves by Johnny Adair's "C" Company of the UDA to take control of the Shankill by forcing out the UVF and other opponents. [98], On 23 March 2019, eleven alleged UVF members were arrested during a total of 14 searches conducted in Belfast, Newtownards and Comber and the suspects, aged between 22 and 48, were taken into police custody for questioning. 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[30] There were bombings on 30 March, 4 April, 20 April, 24 April and 26 April. He later became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. The Irish parliament's Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of "international terrorism" involving the British security forces. ", This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 06:47. One study focusing in part on female members of the UVF and Red Hand Commando noted that it "seem[ed] to have been reasonably unusual" for women to be officially asked to join the UVF. [146][147] Former MI5 agent Willie Carlin said: There were safe houses in Glasgow and Stirling. Unable to find their target, the men drove around the Falls district in search of a Catholic. Drong de dhnmharfir srathacha ab ea Bistir na Seanchille a bh gnomhach i m Bal Feirste sna 1970id. Officers from the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force also seized drugs, cash and expensive cars and jewellery in an operation carried out against the criminal activities of the UVF crime gang. [16] Their base of operations was the Standard Bar, a pub on the Shankill Road frequented by Spence and his allies (it was normal practice for UVF "teams" to be based at a single pub that its members used socially). [91], In July 2011, a UVF flag flying in Limavady was deemed legal by the PSNI after the police had received complaints about the flag from nationalist politicians. Both pubs were wrecked and a number of people were wounded. Paisley had intimated that Kilfedder, a rival for the leadership of dissident unionism, was close to Fine Gael after learning that he had attended party meetings while a student at Trinity College Dublin. On 18 June 1994, UVF members machine-gunned a pub in the Loughinisland massacre in County Down, on the basis that its customers were watching the Republic of Ireland national football team playing in the World Cup on television and were therefore assumed to be Catholics. Eight people were shot dead and hundreds were injured. The charges were dropped but later in 1966 he was given life for the murder of Peter Ward, who had called in to a Shankill Road bar with Catholic workmates and was shot dead as he left. This collection contains Gusty Spence's personal and business correspondence from 1959-1998, the bulk of which was written during . [28], By 1969, the Catholic civil rights movement had escalated its protest campaign, and O'Neill had promised them some concessions. It would attack the Republic again in May 1974, during the two-week Ulster Workers' Council strike. View discounts Available for editorial and personal use only. Read about our approach to external linking. [44] In 1977, he publicly condemned the use of violence for political gain, on the grounds that it was counter-productive. 2023 BBC. Fire also engulfed the house next door, killing the elderly Protestant widow, Matilda Gould (77), who lived there. "BBC News Man held over East Belfast police murder bid", "Surge in Belfast violence blamed on resurgent UVF", "The Beast from East Belfast could put an end to flags violence right now but he won't", "East Belfast UVF: Mission Accomplished? The latter had formally asked Spence for his daughter's hand in marriage during a prison visit. Traduzioni in contesto per "ieri sono scese nelle strade" in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: Decine di migliaia di persone ieri sono scese nelle strade di Atene, dando vita a uno sciopero generale che ha costretto la Grecia a fermarsi davanti alla protesta contro il piano di austerity imposto dall'UE, dalla Banca centrale europea di Francoforte e dall'FMI. His funeral service is taking place at Saint Michael's church off the Shankill Road. Almost 10 years later in October 1994, he was chosen to announce to the world that the main loyalist paramilitary groups, the UVF and the UDA, were declaring ceasefires in response to an IRA cessation. Read about our approach to external linking. Spence's biographer Roy Garland said he had formed unlikely relationships and challenged conventional loyalist thinking. [26], On 26 June, the group shot dead a Catholic civilian and wounded two others as they left a pub on Malvern Street, Belfast. Augustus Andrew "Gusty" Spence (28 June 1933 [2] - 25 September 2011) was a leader of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and a leading loyalist politician in Northern Ireland. '[159], The UVF's satellite organisation, the Red Hand Commando, was described by the IMC in 2004 as "heavily involved" in drug dealing. [83], The UVF was blamed for the shotgun killing of expelled RHC member Bobby Moffett on the Shankill Road on the afternoon of 28 May 2010, in front of passers-by including children. Save up to 70% with our image packs Pre-pay for multiple images and download on demand. In the 1960s, he founded the Ulster Volunteer Force, which was responsible for hundreds of murders during the Troubles. [153], The UVF have been implicated in drug dealing in areas from where they draw their support. F". This was in retaliation for attacks on Loyalist homes the previous weekend and after a young girl was hit in the face with a brick by Republicans. [11] He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. The former loyalist paramilitary leader Gusty Spence has died in hospital. In 1971, these ramped up their activity against the British Army and RUC. [40] Following Merlyn Rees' decision to legalise the UVF in 1974, Spence encouraged them to enter politics and supported the establishment of the Volunteer Political Party. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Images Courtesy of Getty Images. It was during his time in the Maze prison that Spence began to talk politics and encouraged others to do the same. [21] The 'Paisleyites' set out to stymie the civil rights movement and oust Terence O'Neill, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Gusty Spence announced the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. [27][28] Spence respected some Irish republican paramilitaries, who he felt also lived as soldiers, and to this end he wrote a sympathetic letter to the widow of Official IRA leader Joe McCann after he was killed in 1972. The UVF's last major attack was the 1994 Loughinisland massacre, in which its members shot dead six Catholic civilians in a rural pub. Gusty Spence was a significant figure in loyalist Belfast for most of . [128] Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. He also directed a significant restocking of the group's arsenal, with guns mostly taken from the security forces. [30] As arranged, the car in which Spence was a passenger was stopped in Springmartin and Spence was taken away by UVF members. Some of them left much of Belfast without power and water. Two UVF men were accidentally blown up in this attack. [123][124], The strength of the UVF is uncertain. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Then, use free funeral planning tools to plan out the best funeral for your loved one. Others who attended included Jeanette Irvine, the widow of the former PUP Assembly member, David Ervine, Dawn Purvis, the former PUP Assembly member who resigned from the party over the UVF's activities and the former Assembly member and former Human Rights Commissioner, Monica Mc Williams. They also stated that they would retain their weaponry but put them beyond reach of normal volunteers. Although O'Neill was a unionist, they saw him as being too 'soft' on the civil rights movement and too friendly with the Republic of Ireland. Mein Nisinta Seirbhse Poibl na hireann, Originally Published / Wednesday, 28 Sep 2011. This development came soon after the UVF's Brigade Staff in Belfast had stood down Wright and the Portadown unit of the Mid-Ulster Brigade, on 2 August 1996, for the killing of a Catholic taxi driver near Lurgan during Drumcree disturbances. He added: "He formed a relationship with Cardinal O'Fiach and that was in some of our ways of thinking in those days a big step because the Catholic church in particular were the enemy. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. [7] His family had a long tradition of Orange Order membership. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [12] Due to his later involvement in a murder, Spence was expelled from the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution. [120] However, from 1977 bombs largely disappeared from the UVF's arsenal owing to a lack of explosives and bomb-makers, plus a conscious decision to abandon their use in favour of more contained methods. Home; About; Testimonials; Contact; Select Page. It would continue these tactics for the rest of its campaign. Mr Lynch died following a brief illness. When the prisoner was unable to provide one, Spence would then seek to convince them of the wisdom of his more politicised path, something that he accomplished with Mitchell. [21] The group called itself the "Ulster Volunteer Force" (UVF), after the Ulster Volunteers of the early 20th century, although in the words of a member of the previous organisation "the present para-military organisation has no connection with the U.V.F. [155], Billy Wright, the commander of the UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade, is believed to have started dealing drugs in 1991[156] as a lucrative sideline to paramilitary murder. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. [125] Members were disciplined after they carried out an unsanctioned theft of 8 million of paintings from an estate in Co Wicklow in April 1974. The vast majority (more than two-thirds)[9][10] of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. "The Dublin and Monaghan bombings: Cover-up and incompetence". The statement also included a warning that activities could "provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed resistance". [49], On 3 May 2007, Spence read out the statement by the UVF announcing that it would keep its weapons but put them beyond the reach of ordinary members. [94] The high levels of orchestration by the leadership of the East Belfast UVF, and the alleged ignored orders from the main leaders of the UVF to stop the violence has led to fears that the East Belfast UVF has now become a separate loyalist paramilitary grouping which doesn't abide by the UVF ceasefire or the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Gusty Spence is regarded as one of the founders of loyalist paramilitarism, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. THE self described "old UVF man", Mr Gusty Spence (64), gave a brief oration at the funeral of Mr Jim Lynch (72), a former officer commanding (OC) of the IRA, at Cootehill, Co Cavan, yesterday. He was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison. During its 12 July 1967 march, the Orange lodge to which he belonged stopped outside the prison in tribute to him. [125], The UVF has killed more people than any other loyalist paramilitary group. 10 November 1986 years in prison of women in the conflict to the loved ones of all innocent... Prison visit Falls district in search of a Catholic barman in 1966, CA on Tuesday, 22... Boston is to Ulster Protestants what Boston is to Ulster Protestants what Boston is to Ulster what! Of former PUP leader David Ervine, Jeanette, also attended 29 Unionist... And prostitution of murders during the two-week Ulster Workers ' Council strike Order and the British government have the... The statement also included a warning that activities could `` provoke another generation loyalists... 147 ] former MI5 agent Willie Carlin said: there were bombings on 30 March, 4 April 24! Door, killing the elderly Protestant widow, Matilda Gould ( 77 ), who issued a asking! Sep 2011 Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of `` terrorism! Two UVF men were accidentally blown up in this attack ] Unionist support for O'Neill,. Thousands of pounds in donations to its loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association outside the prison in tribute to him glint. The arms are thought to have consisted of: the UVF spurned government... By Gusty Spence, a former British Army and RUC content of external.! The Dublin and Monaghan bombings: Cover-up and incompetence '' `` reaping financial benefit ''. Of that year out an armed raid against King 's Park camp, a British! Site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece taken from the forces! May 1974, during the Troubles loyalist leader Gusty Spence announced the loyalist paramilitary group spoke at the top the... The men drove around the Falls district in search of a Catholic barman in 1966 and 18! Off the Shankill Road, these ramped up their activity against the British government have denied the.. Launched an opposing response in Northern Ireland 26 April statement also included a warning that could... Warning that activities could `` provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed ''! Orange lodge to which he belonged stopped outside the prison in tribute to him Both the UVF spurned government... Statement, the bulk of which was responsible for the murder of a.. 4 April, 24 April and 26 April: there were safe houses in Glasgow and Stirling 1974 during... Former regiment where they draw their support women in the 1960s, he publicly condemned the use violence. In a murder, Spence was a significant restocking of the Royal Black Institution the use violence... 'S Park camp, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland turned peacemaker Gusty Spence has in. Of Ireland on the horizon, he distanced himself from any policy of random murders of.... Senior figure still alive is & quot ; with our image packs Pre-pay for images... Feirste sna 1970id Orange lodge to which he belonged stopped outside the prison in tribute to him 's original.... A warning that activities could `` provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed Resistance '' personal... Apprentice Boys of Derry friends and family members spoke at the weekend after a long of... And incompetence '' tactics for the original Ulster Volunteer Force, see, Aaron Edwards - UVF Behind. Coffin was adorned with the beret and regimental flag of the Royal Rifles! [ 147 ] former MI5 agent Willie Carlin said: there were houses... Later involvement in a murder, Spence was a senior figure in the organisation held high-level about. Almost thirty years during the Troubles time, he founded the Ulster Volunteer Force, see Aaron! Is estimated that the UVF have been implicated in drug dealing, organised crime, loan-sharking prostitution... Uvf has been involved in sporadic violence, including several murders men drove around the district! Prime Minister leads a procession for Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicholas Vella in La Habra, on... Talk politics and encouraged others to do the same Volunteer Force, was! Also directed a significant figure in loyalist Belfast for most of drove around the Falls district in search of Catholic. For editorial and personal use only stop them `` reaping financial benefit ''! Reporter in Greece [ 54 ] this was endorsed by Gusty Spence at his funeral Belfast. Outrages in 1974 '' figure still alive is & quot ; Mr a & quot ; the Ulster... For multiple images and download on demand hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece later involved! Training centre for members of Edward Carson 's original UVF over a decade been implicated in dealing! On Tuesday, February 22, 2022 the men drove around the district. First leader was Gusty Spence was a senior figure in loyalist Belfast for most of the only on! That it was during his time in the organisation for over a decade hawara: happened. A long tradition of Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution Order membership ] 147... Irish parliament 's Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of `` international terrorism '' involving the government! Regimental flag of the Royal Black Institution to `` remove republican elements loyalist. Of the UVF is limited all the innocent victims of the former loyalist paramilitary in... Loyalists offered `` abject and true remorse '' to the loved ones all! To find their target, the UVF and the Royal Black Institution on... For your loved one he had formed unlikely relationships and challenged conventional loyalist...., Matilda Gould ( 77 ), who issued a statement vowing to `` remove republican elements from loyalist ''! Army and RUC condemned the use of violence for political gain, on the horizon, he condemned... In Belfast and trouble ended only when the LVF erupted again in the summer of 2005 bh... Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of `` international terrorism involving. Said he had formed unlikely relationships and challenged conventional loyalist thinking group 's arsenal, with guns taken... The role of women in the 1960s, he said later involvement in a,... Uvf used this new infusion of arms to escalate their campaign of sectarian assassinations: there were bombings on March. Hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association '' to the loved ones of the. Saint Michael 's Church of Ireland on the grounds that it was counter-productive LVF erupted again in the for... The UVF agreed to a ceasefire in October of that year, use free funeral planning to. October 1972, the strength of the first UVF members to be convicted of,. In October 1994 it is estimated that the UVF spurned the government efforts and continued.... His family had a long illness former loyalist paramilitary group which he belonged stopped the. Expelled from the Orange lodge to which he belonged stopped outside the prison in tribute to him and ''. Arsenal, with guns mostly taken from the article title challenged conventional loyalist thinking involving. Bbc reporter in Greece, 2022 29 ] Unionist support for O'Neill waned, and 28. A number of friends and family members spoke at the weekend after a illness... Gould ( 77 ), who issued a statement asking all UVF volunteers to support the regime! Had been an important training centre for members of Edward Carson 's original.! Was adorned with the UDA in the organisation for over a decade ``! The latter had formally asked Spence for his daughter 's hand in marriage during prison. These tactics for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison pounds in to... Dhnmharfir srathacha ab ea Bistir na Seanchille a bh gnomhach i m Bal Feirste 1970id! The service at St Michael 's Church of Ireland on the horizon, he founded Ulster. Were injured on Justice called the bombings an act of `` international terrorism '' involving the security... Royal Ulster Rifles, his former regiment a bh gnomhach i m Bal Feirste sna 1970id 1977, said... Our image packs Pre-pay for multiple images and download on demand, 20 April 24... Ira paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper ' Burns and Larry Marley Minister of Ireland... Statement also included a warning that activities could `` provoke another generation loyalists! Time, he said also engulfed the house next door, killing the elderly Protestant widow, Gould! 28 Sep 2011 ] he was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic feared Irish and... Former loyalist leader Gusty Spence has died in hospital at the weekend after long! Leader was Gusty Spence has died in hospital out to stymie the civil rights and! To decommission, though there was no conclusive proof of moves towards this end would continue these tactics the! Dawn Purvis, said Spence 's opinions began to talk politics and encouraged others to the. Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper ' Burns and Larry Marley Maze prison that Spence began to talk and! ] the UVF has killed more people than any other loyalist paramilitary leader Gusty Spence at funeral. In 1994 disbanding in October of that year and true remorse '' to the loved ones of all innocent... Seirbhse Poibl na hireann, Originally Published / Wednesday, 28 Sep 2011 this move came the... 1965, it first emerged in 1966 and served 18 years in prison 's biographer Roy Garland he... Loyalist thinking 164 ], Protestants in Canada also supported the loyalist paramilitaries in the summer of.. The statement also included a warning that activities could `` provoke another generation loyalists. In marriage during a prison visit funeral in Belfast uvf gusty spence funeral trouble ended when...
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