uvf gusty spence funeral

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. Spence grew increasingly frustrated with UVF leadership, and left the organization altogether in 1978. They managed to procure a large cache of weapons and ammunition including L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles, Browning pistols, and Sterling submachine guns. [164], For the original Ulster Volunteer Force, see, Aaron Edwards - UVF: Behind the Mask pp. "He was an Irishman and looked upon himself as an Ulster Irishman as well as being British. Donoghue noted the links between Orange Lodges in Scotland and loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland and that membership of the Orange Order in Scotland at the time was 80,000, and was concentrated in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Inverness. Six of the victims were abducted at random, then beaten and tortured before having their throats slashed. [18] Shortly after, Spence and three others were arrested. Images Courtesy of Getty Images. 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. The report added that individuals, some current and some former members, in the group have, without the orders from above, continued to "localised recruitment", and although some continued to try and acquire weapons, including a senior member, most forms of crime had fallen, including shootings and assaults. Wright is believed to have dealt mainly in Ecstasy tablets in the early 90s. 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". [131] The UVF has also been involved in the extortion of legitimate businesses, although to a lesser extent than the UDA,[138] and was described in the fifth IMC report as being involved in organised crime. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. They shot John Scullion, a Catholic civilian, as he walked home. [36], Spence soon became the UVF commander within the Maze Prison. [30] Met by two members of the Red Hand Commando upon his release, Spence was informed of the need for a restructuring within the UVF and told not to return to prison. 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). While republicans were the expressed target, the attacks that followed were explicitly sectarian. [140][141], In contrast to the IRA, overseas support for loyalist paramilitaries including the UVF has been limited. [18][19] Some members have also been found responsible for orchestrating a series of racist attacks. [47] Spence went on to become a leading advocate for the Good Friday Agreement. "While the talks may be slow, they are the only glint on the horizon, he said. [92], During the Belfast City Hall flag protests of 201213, senior UVF members were confirmed to have actively been involved in orchestrating violence and rioting against the PSNI and the Alliance Party throughout Northern Ireland during the weeks of disorder. What's he waiting for? It claimed the pubs were used for republican fundraising. In 2007, he announced that the UVF and an associated group, the Red Hand Commando, would cease to exist in their previous form. "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. At the same time, he distanced himself from any policy of random murders of Catholics. She told mourners that he had made friends among republicans and socialists and among people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [125] Historically, the number of active UVF members in July 1971 was stated by one source to be no more than 20. He was buried in Bangor.[57][58]. Brian Ervine said: "His contribution to the peace is incalculable and without him, probably the paramilitaries would still be at war. Then, use free funeral planning tools to plan out the best funeral for your loved one. [37], The IRA had split into the Provisional IRA and Official IRA in December 1969. [24] On 21 May, the group issued a statement: From this day, we declare war against the Irish Republican Army and its splinter groups. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland.The group undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles.It declared a ceasefire in 1994 and officially ended its campaign in 2007, although some of its members have . 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. In line with Mr Spences wishes, his coffin was draped with the flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles, the British army regiment in which he served for six years before he joined the UVF in the 1960s. He was shot dead by the IRA in November 1982, four months after his release from the Maze Prison. 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. [134] Like the IRA, the UVF also operated black taxi services,[135][136][137] a scheme believed to have generated 100,000 annually for the organisation. The gang comprised, in addition to the UVF, rogue elements of the UDR, RUC, SPG, and the regular Army, all acting allegedly under the direction of the British Intelligence Corps and/or RUC Special Branch. Spence now argued that UVF members were soldiers and soldiers should not kill civilians, as had been the case at McGurk's Bar. [19] On 26 June, the same gang shot dead Catholic civilian Peter Ward (18) and wounded two others as they left a pub on Malvern Street in the lower Shankill. The damage from security service informers started in 1983 with "supergrass" Joseph Bennett's information, which led to the arrest of fourteen senior figures. [157] It was around this time that Sunday World journalists Martin O'Hagan and Jim Campbell coined the term "rat pack" for the UVF's murderous mid-Ulster unit and, unable to identify Wright by name for legal reasons, they christened him "King Rat." "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". [130], Prior to and after the onset of the Troubles the UVF carried out armed robberies. 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. Spence was born in the Shankill Road, Belfast, area, Northern Ireland, the son of William Edward Spence, who was born in Whitehaven, England and raised in the Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast before moving to the Shankill. In October 1975, after staging a counter-coup, the Brigade Staff acquired a new leadership of moderates with Tommy West serving as the Chief of Staff. [87][88], On the night of 20 June 2011, riots involving 500 people erupted in the Short Strand area of East Belfast. [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. In 1990, the UVF joined the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) and indicated its acceptance of moves towards peace. His conviction, which he always denied, has been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission by his family in light of new evidence being brought forward. But despite the statement, the UVF was subsequently involved in sporadic violence, including several murders. The chip shop has since been closed down. A man who worked tirelessly for peace. Gusty Spence reading the 2007 UVF 'weapons beyond use' statement in Belfast. [24] The murder of Ward was, however, repudiated by Paisley and condemned in his Protestant Telegraph, sealing the split between the two. [citation needed], On 26 March 2022, the UVF was linked to a hoax bomb alert at a bar in Warrenpoint, County Down. DeSantis won't say he's running. [30] There were bombings on 30 March, 4 April, 20 April, 24 April and 26 April. "[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. In accordance with Spence's wishes, there were no paramilitary trappings at the funeral or reference to his time in the UVF. The 78-year-old had been ill for some time. [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". That year, a string of tit-for-tat pub bombings began in Belfast. UVF In 1961, Spence retired from the Royal Irish Rifles, which he had joined in 1957, on the grounds of ill health. Two Ulster Unionist Assembly members, Michael McGimpsey and Mike Neabitt, were among the mourners at the funeral. Berenice also assists in shipping across the state, country or around the world. View discounts Available for editorial and personal use only. 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. 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. He had risen through its ranks to become a sergeant in the military police and the regiments flag was draped across his coffin. As a lone piper led his funeral cortege through the area, the streets were lined by mourners. In January 2000 UVF Mid-Ulster brigadier Richard Jameson was shot dead by a LVF gunman which led to an escalation of the UVF/LVF feud. As a PUP representative he took a principal role in delivering the loyalist ceasefires of 1994. RT is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. [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. [44] In 1977, he publicly condemned the use of violence for political gain, on the grounds that it was counter-productive. [32] Spence gave his permission for UVF brigadier Billy Hanna to establish the UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade in Lurgan. Home; About; Testimonials; Contact; Select Page. [75] This was to take effect from midnight. "He was really a role model for many young men who would follow.". Mein Nisinta Seirbhse Poibl na hireann, Originally Published / Wednesday, 28 Sep 2011. (Thesis 2017). [55], However, a granddaughter of Matilda Gould, a 74-year-old Protestant widow who had died from burns sustained in the UVF's attempted bombing of a Catholic bar next door to her home, objected to Spence being called a "peacemaker" and described him as a "bad evil man". Thousands of families, mostly Catholics, were forced to flee their homes and refugee camps were set up in the Republic of Ireland. He then became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. Gusty Spence, who has died aged 78, was the . 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. [34] Spence was arrested along with around thirty other men at a UVF drinking club in Brennan Street; but after giving a false name, he was released. RT.ie is the website of Raidi Teilifs ireann, Ireland's National Public Service Media. It was the deadliest attack of the Troubles. The first British soldier to be killed by the Provisional IRA died in February 1971. Blood and rage: a cultural history of terrorism, "Granddaughter of victim says Gusty Spence was not a peacemaker", "Shankill shuts to pay its respects to UVF chief Gusty Spence", BBC News, Thursday, 3 May 2007, "Loyalist veteran's path to peace", Murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine, Ulster Loyalist Central Co-ordinating Committee, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gusty_Spence&oldid=1136743955, Loyalists imprisoned during the Northern Ireland conflict, People convicted of murder by Northern Ireland, People from Northern Ireland convicted of murder, Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Northern Ireland, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Hiberno-English, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 22:44. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. She said: "Some people have said that in his later life, he changed to become committed to peace. [7] His family had a long tradition of Orange Order membership. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. Sociologist Steven Bruce described the support networks in Canada as "the main source of support for loyalism outside the United Kingdom . He would go on to hold private talks with the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. [3] Spence Snr was a member of the Ulster Volunteers and had fought in the First World War. [27] Spence appointed Samuel McClelland as UVF Chief of Staff in his stead. Mr Spence, who died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness, inspired loyalists to enter politics during the peace process and helped form the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP). The feud with the UDA ended in December following seven deaths. [8] He was frequently involved in street fights with republicans and garnered a reputation as a "hard man". Mr Lynch's widow, Norma, recollected last night that the late Catholic primate of Ireland, Cardinal O Fiaich, had said that "if there was a hope for peace in Ireland it would come through Gusty". His funeral service is taking place at Saint Michael's church off the Shankill Road. [35], In January 1970, the UVF began bombing Catholic-owned businesses in Protestant areas of Belfast. The gang comprised, in addition to the UVF, rogue elements of the UDR, RUC, SPG, and the regular Army, all acting allegedly under the direction of the British Intelligence Corps and/or RUC Special Branch. 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. Gusty Spence Funeral RIP 21,778 views Nov 15, 2013 95 Dislike Share Save Elmwoodgrove 14 subscribers The Funeral at Craven Street Gusty said Some day The PUP will grow a set of Jaws And BITE. The unnamed woman stated, "When you go out and throw a petrol bomb through a widow's window, you're no peacemaker. [53] These men had overthrown the "hawkish" officers, who had called for a "big push", which meant an increase in violent attacks, earlier in the same month. Cludach leabhair do "The Shankill Butchers" le Martin Dillon. 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. [93] Much of the UVF's orchestration was carried out by its senior members in East Belfast, where many attacks on the PSNI and on residents of the Short Strand enclave took place. Correspondence includes Spence's correspondence with leaders and imprisoned members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and letters concerning his imprisonment originally . "Overstating and Misjudging the Prospects of Civil War: The Ulster Volunteer Force and the Irish Volunteers in the Home Rule Crisis, 19121914." Henry McDonald. "He also sent a letter of condolence to the widow of Joe McCann, an IRA man, praising him as a soldier of Ireland.". [57] In 1976, Tommy West was replaced with "Mr. F" who is alleged to be John "Bunter" Graham, who remains the incumbent Chief of Staff to date. With Moore now deceased, the only senior figure still alive is "Mr A". [23] Tim Pat Coogan has described Spence as a "loyalist folk hero". In October, UVF and UPV member Thomas McDowell was killed by the bomb he was planting at Ballyshannon power station. Another former PUP leader, Dawn Purvis, said Spence's opinions began to shift sooner than is generally perceived. Mr Spence was brought up in the Shankill, but was forced out in later years by loyalists opposed to his defence of the peace process and his opposition to continued paramilitary activity. It began carrying out gun attacks to kill random Catholic civilians and using car bombs to attack Catholic-owned pubs. Gusty Spence received primary education at Riddell Memorial (1938-43) and Hemsworth Square (1943-7) public elementary schools, both in the Shankill area. Along with the newly formed Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the UVF started an armed campaign against the Catholic population of Northern Ireland. The funeral of 78-year-old Gusty Spence, the former leader of the UVF paramilitary organisation, has taken place in Belfast. He added: "I think it helped to set some of the tone to bring us to where we are now.". [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. [115] They always signed their statements with the fictitious name "Captain William Johnston". The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group. The latter had formally asked Spence for his daughter's hand in marriage during a prison visit. [28], By 1969, the Catholic civil rights movement had escalated its protest campaign, and O'Neill had promised them some concessions. Hanna and Jackson have both been implicated by journalist Joe Tiernan and RUC Special Patrol Group (SPG) officer John Weir as having led one of the units that bombed Dublin. He lived to see the end of The Troubles and a power-sharing administration in place at Stormont but with no presence from the group he represented. Fire engulfed the house next door, badly burning the elderly Protestant widow who lived there. "He also sent a letter of condolence to the widow of Joe McCann, an IRA man, praising him as a soldier of Ireland.". Spence is regarded as the first terrorist godfather in Northern Ireland but also the man who took the first steps towards ending UVF violence. [145], Scotland was a source of funding and aid, supplying explosives and guns. Gusty Spence announced the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade carried out further attacks during this same period. [11] He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. 206, 207, Ed Moloney, Secret History of the IRA, p.321, "Voices From the Grave:Two Men's War in Ireland" Ed Moloney, Faber & Faber, 2010 pp 417. [63], The UVF also attacked republican paramilitaries and political activists. 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