. This gang was led by Lenny Murphy. [3] Spence Snr was a member of the Ulster Volunteers and had fought in the First World War. [106][107] This uniform, based on those of the original UVF, was introduced in the early 1970s. Mr Lynch had many unionist friends, "some even politicians". [48] When Spence's wife died three years later, he said that C Company had been responsible for her death, such was the toll that the events had taken on her health. 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. While republicans were the expressed target, the attacks that followed were explicitly sectarian. 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. [164], For the original Ulster Volunteer Force, see, Aaron Edwards - UVF: Behind the Mask pp. Two of those later convicted (James McDowell and Thomas Crozier) were also serving members of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), a part-time, locally recruited regiment of the British Army. 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. The 78-year-old had been ill for some time. When Spence was 'abducted' in July 1972 it was the RHC who were at the forefront of this operation. [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. [75] This was to take effect from midnight. [19] Spence later wrote "at the time, the attitude was that if you couldn't get an IRA man you should shoot a Taig, he's your last resort". "Shortly after he was jailed, Gusty, after a period of reflection on his own life, quickly started to challenge other loyalists coming into prison to reflect on their own lives.". "He also sent a letter of condolence to the widow of Joe McCann, an IRA man, praising him as a soldier of Ireland.". 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. DeSantis won't say he's running. It claimed the pubs were used for republican fundraising. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos [46] Some of the new Brigade Staff members bore nicknames such as "Big Dog" and "Smudger". In the 1960s, he founded the Ulster Volunteer Force, which was responsible for hundreds of murders during the Troubles. Scores of houses and businesses were burnt out, most of them owned by Catholics. [117] Members were trained in bomb-making, and the organisation developed home-made explosives. There are various credible[citation needed] allegations that elements of the British security forces colluded with the UVF in the bombings. The vast majority (more than two-thirds)[9][10] of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. 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. [49] A political wing was formed in June 1974, the Volunteer Political Party led by UVF Chief of Staff Ken Gibson, which contested West Belfast in the October 1974 general election, polling 2,690 votes (6%). Assistant chief constable Drew Harris in a statement said "The UVF are subject to an organised crime investigation as an organised crime group. Openly paraded with the UVF and thanked Gusty Spence repeatedly for his services to Ulster. The unnamed woman stated, "When you go out and throw a petrol bomb through a widow's window, you're no peacemaker. That year, a string of tit-for-tat pub bombings began in Belfast. One of the first UVF members to be convicted of murder, Spence was a senior figure in the organisation for over a decade. He was buried in Bangor.[57][58]. 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. [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. He had risen through its ranks to become a sergeant in the military police and the regiments flag was draped across his coffin. It was the deadliest attack of the Troubles. [128] Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland. The damage from security service informers started in 1983 with "supergrass" Joseph Bennett's information, which led to the arrest of fourteen senior figures. 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. Grob-Fitzgibbon, Benjamin. During the riot, UVF members shot dead RUC officer Victor Arbuckle. [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 crowds included a leader of the loyalist Ulster Defence Association Jackie McDonald. Read about our approach to external linking. He read the loyalist ceasefire statement in 1994 and was asked to read the UVF weapons decommissioning statement, at the age of 74, in 2007. He later became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. Bates was born into an Ulster Protestant family and grew up in the Shankill Road area of Belfast.He had a criminal record dating back to 1966, and later became a member of the Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). "[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. Whether you need additional information, document your wishes without paying or to arrange and pre-fund your funeral, Berenice is ready to listen and provide assistance. In May 1966, the UVF issued a statement, announcing that it was declaring war on the IRA. He was sworn in soon afterwards in a ceremony held in secret near Pomeroy, County Tyrone. "[97], In June 2017, Gary Haggarty, former UVF commander for north Belfast and south-east Antrim, pleaded guilty to 200 charges, including five murders. [130], Prior to and after the onset of the Troubles the UVF carried out armed robberies. [54] The number of killings in Northern Ireland had decreased from around 300 per year between 1973 and 1976 to just under 100 in the years 19771981. [104] The Brigade Staff's former headquarters were situated in rooms above "The Eagle" chip shop located on the Shankill Road at its junction with Spier's Place. Then, use free funeral planning tools to plan out the best funeral for your loved one. [10] Whatever the truth of this intelligence, Gusty Spence's Shankill UVF team was made up of only around 12 men on its formation. [12] Due to his later involvement in a murder, Spence was expelled from the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution. 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. [123][124], The strength of the UVF is uncertain. [30] As arranged, the car in which Spence was a passenger was stopped in Springmartin and Spence was taken away by UVF members. . During his time in prison Spence renounced violence and helped to convince a number of fellow inmates that the future of the UVF lay in a more political approach. While the only echoes of Mr Spences paramilitary past were the UVF murals that dotted his funeral route, a guard of honour was formed by veterans of his old British Army regiment, the Royal Ulster Rifles. "[23] It was led by Gusty Spence, formerly a soldier in the British Army. Spence is regarded as the first terrorist godfather in Northern Ireland but also the man who took the first steps towards ending UVF violence. His funeral service is taking place at Saint Michael's church off the Shankill Road. An article published by the newspaper fingered Wright as a drug lord and sectarian murderer. [30] There were bombings on 30 March, 4 April, 20 April, 24 April and 26 April. [32] Spence gave his permission for UVF brigadier Billy Hanna to establish the UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade in Lurgan. "On behalf of Sinn Fein I would wish to extend my condolences to his family at this time.". Their weapons stock-piles are to be retained under the watch of the UVF leadership. [24] The murder of Ward was, however, repudiated by Paisley and condemned in his Protestant Telegraph, sealing the split between the two. What's he waiting for? [27] Spence appointed Samuel McClelland as UVF Chief of Staff in his stead. [85][86], On 2526 October 2010, the UVF was involved in rioting and disturbances in the Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey with UVF gunmen seen on the streets at the time. ][102] On 11 April, the UVF reportedly ordered the removal of Catholic families from a housing estate in Carrickfergus. These attacks were stepped up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in the east Tyrone and north Armagh areas. This collection contains Gusty Spence's personal and business correspondence from 1959-1998, the bulk of which was written during . 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. 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. He was the first RUC officer to be killed during the Troubles. [2] In 1978, Spence left the UVF altogether. [84] The Progressive Unionist Party's condemnation, and Dawn Purvis and other leaders' resignations as a response to the Moffett shooting, were also noted. The statement also included a warning that activities could "provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed resistance". Edward's son Ronnie was active in the Official IRA and then the INLA, serving a sentence on the INLA wing of the Maze prison while his uncle was on the UVF wing. Wright is believed to have dealt mainly in Ecstasy tablets in the early 90s. Fire engulfed the house next door, badly burning the elderly Protestant widow who lived there. Spence told Radio Ulster that the UVF had been "engaged in murder, attempted murder of civilians, attempted murder of police officers. [66] The UVF also killed senior IRA paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper' Burns and Larry Marley. 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. Wright was apparently enraged by the nickname and made numerous threats to O'Hagan and Campbell. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. It was responsible for more than 500 deaths. UVF In 1961, Spence retired from the Royal Irish Rifles, which he had joined in 1957, on the grounds of ill health. [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. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, 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. Augustus Spence was born in a Protestant area of Belfast, not far from Shankill Road. Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of the former loyalist leader Gusty Spence. After several years away from the spotlight, Spence was again asked to read the statement, a role which senior loyalists said was indicative of his significance within Northern Ireland loyalism. . Home; About; Testimonials; Contact; Select Page. [121][122] The UVF did not return to regular bombings until the early 1990s when it obtained a quantity of the mining explosive Powergel. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no UVF trappings and his coffin will be draped in the regimental flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles in which he served. The former loyalist paramilitary leader Gusty Spence has died in hospital. The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Former Ulster Volunteer Force leader Gusty Spence has died aged 78. It set up a paramilitary-style wing called the Ulster Protestant Volunteers (UPV). "[56], His funeral service was held in St Michael's Church of Ireland on the Shankill Road. [55] The hawks had been ousted by those in the UVF who were unhappy with their political and military strategy. In her address to the church congregation, Ms Purvis recalled how Mr Spence had been frank about his UVF role, but that he had often shocked loyalist contemporaries by his willingness to bring an end to conflict and build bridges between working class Protestants and Catholics. Speaking from his home in Belfast last night, Mr Spence said he had become acquainted with Mr Lynch three or four years ago. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. [36], Spence soon became the UVF commander within the Maze Prison. The biggest of these was the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34 civilians, making it the deadliest terrorist attack of the conflict. [24] On 21 May, the group issued a statement: From this day, we declare war against the Irish Republican Army and its splinter groups. Spence said loyalists offered "abject and true remorse" to the loved ones of all the innocent victims of the Troubles. [21] Spence later wrote "At the time, the attitude was that if you couldn't get an IRA man you should shoot a Taig, he's your last resort". 2023 BBC. 2023 BBC. Mark Davenport from the BBC has stated that he spoke to a drug dealer who told him that he paid Billy Wright protection money. [103], On 25 March 2022, the UVF was blamed[by whom?] [149] It is estimated that the UVF nevertheless received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations to its Loyalist Prisoners Welfare Association. But despite the statement, the UVF was subsequently involved in sporadic violence, including several murders. [9] According to the book Lost Lives (2006 edition), it was responsible for 569 killings. 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. [112] The vast majority of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. [8] He was frequently involved in street fights with republicans and garnered a reputation as a "hard man". [47] Spence went on to become a leading advocate for the Good Friday Agreement. [29] Unionist support for O'Neill waned, and on 28 April he resigned as Prime Minister. [145], Scotland was a source of funding and aid, supplying explosives and guns. [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. 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. Birgen, Julia. The UVF launched further attacks in the Republic of Ireland during December 1972 and January 1973, when it detonated three car bombs in Dublin and one in Belturbet, County Cavan, killing a total of five civilians. [28], By 1969, the Catholic civil rights movement had escalated its protest campaign, and O'Neill had promised them some concessions. [9] Spence served until 1961 when ill-health forced him to leave. [73], On 2 September 2006, BBC News reported the UVF might be intending to re-enter dialogue with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, with a view to decommissioning of their weapons. [26], On 26 June, the group shot dead a Catholic civilian and wounded two others as they left a pub on Malvern Street, Belfast. 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. 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