Spence said loyalists offered "abject and true remorse" to the loved ones of all the innocent victims of the Troubles. When Spence was 'abducted' in July 1972 it was the RHC who were at the forefront of this operation. [26], On 26 June, the group shot dead a Catholic civilian and wounded two others as they left a pub on Malvern Street, Belfast. 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. Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. While republicans were the expressed target, the attacks that followed were explicitly sectarian. 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,. [11] He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. [21] Some unionists feared Irish nationalism and launched an opposing response in Northern Ireland. 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. [21] The 'Paisleyites' set out to stymie the civil rights movement and oust Terence O'Neill, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. 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. Berenice also assists in shipping across the state, country or around the world. 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). [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. [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. A controlled explosion was carried out and the bomb was later declared a hoax. There were no paramilitary trappings as mourners carried the coffin of the loyalist leader. With Moore now deceased, the only senior figure still alive is "Mr A". [46] This resulted in a sharp increase in sectarian killings and internecine feuding, both with the UDA and within the UVF itself. Anderson, Malcolm & Bort, Eberhard (1999). The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. Also, why did the author not probe the close relationship between Gusty Spence and the RHC? [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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Reverend Chris Hudson, who helped broker contacts between loyalist paramilitaries and the Irish government, said that aspect of the statement was significant. [74], On 3 May 2007, following recent negotiations between the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, the UVF made a statement that they would transform to a "non-military, civilianised" organisation. Mr Spence was convicted for the murder of one of the victims, 18-year-old Peter Ward, who was shot dead after being identified as a Catholic while he drank in a mainly Protestant pub. 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 initial aim of Ulster Resistance was to bring an end to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. 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. [7] His family had a long tradition of Orange Order membership. In incidents carried out within days of each other in June 1966, Mr Spences gang killed two Catholic men, plus a Protestant pensioner who was murdered in a failed attempt to burn a neighbouring Catholic-owned bar. During 1970, 42 Catholic-owned licensed premises in Protestant areas were bombed. The UVF's leadership is based in Belfast and known as the Brigade Staff. In response to events in Derry, nationalists held protests throughout Northern Ireland, some of which became violent. She said: "Some people have said that in his later life, he changed to become committed to peace. 2023 BBC. Brian Ervine said: "His contribution to the peace is incalculable and without him, probably the paramilitaries would still be at war. DeSantis won't say he's running. Ontario is to Ulster Protestants what Boston is to Irish Catholics." [125] Historically, the number of active UVF members in July 1971 was stated by one source to be no more than 20. 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. [142] Its main benefactors have been in central Scotland,[143] Liverpool,[144] Preston[144] and the Toronto area of Canada. for a proxy bomb attack targeting a "peace-building" event in Belfast where Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney was speaking. He was OC of the IRA in the Cavan area during the Border campaign in the late 1950s and early 1960s. [47] Spence went on to become a leading advocate for the Good Friday Agreement. 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. Of course, the UVF had a big role to play, with a masked Geordie Orr (another pivotal UVF figure notable by his absence from the book) and others . The UVF stated that the attempted attack was a protest against the Irish Army units "still massed on the border in County Donegal". . The feud with the UDA ended in December following seven deaths. He added: "I think it helped to set some of the tone to bring us to where we are now.". A piper leads a procession for Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicholas Vella in La Habra, CA on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The 78-year-old had been ill for some time. A number. In the 1960s, he founded the modern Ulster Volunteer Force, an organisation which was responsible for hundreds of sectarian murders during the Troubles. 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. [63], The UVF also attacked republican paramilitaries and political activists. In keeping with his wishes, there were no paramilitary trappings and his coffin was draped with the regimental flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles, in which he served. The gunmen shot dead six people and injured five. Fire also engulfed the house next door, killing the elderly Protestant widow, Matilda Gould (77), who lived there. Ever Loved makes it easy to compare funeral homes, funeral parlors and mortuaries, so you can find the best fit. 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. "[97], In June 2017, Gary Haggarty, former UVF commander for north Belfast and south-east Antrim, pleaded guilty to 200 charges, including five murders. [39], The following year, 1972, was the most violent of the Troubles. The latter had formally asked Spence for his daughter's hand in marriage during a prison visit. [2] In 1978, Spence left the UVF altogether. Gusty Spence, who died over the weekend, was a paramilitary godfather in Northern Ireland and one of the founding figures of the UVF, but was also among the first to recognise the need for peace. 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. As a lone piper led his funeral cortege through the area, the streets were lined by mourners. [68], According to journalist and author Ed Moloney, the UVF campaign in Mid-Ulster in this period "indisputably shattered Republican morale", and put the leadership of the republican movement under intense pressure to "do something",[69] although this has been disputed by others.[who?]. [21] This occurred despite Spence having been officially expelled from the Orange Order following his conviction. 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. 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. Gusty Spence is regarded as one of the founders of loyalist paramilitarism, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. House of Commons: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Cusack & McDonald, p.3435, 105, 199, 205, The Lost Lives, David McKittrick, Page 1475, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 06:47, Timeline of Ulster Volunteer Force actions, protests throughout Northern Ireland, some of which became violent, Provisional IRA campaign 1969-1997 Loyalists and the IRA killing and reprisals, Republic of Ireland national football team, Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, "Report drawn up on behalf of the Political Affairs Committee on the situation in Northern Ireland", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfGe4WO8yok, "Sutton Index of Deaths: Organisation responsible for the death", "Sutton Index of Deaths: Crosstabulations", "Inside the UVF: Money, murders and mayhem - the loyalist gang's secrets unveiled", "UVF mural on Shankill Road being investigated by police", "UVF 'behind racist attacks in south and east Belfast'", Chronology of Key Events in Irish History, 1800 to 1967, "Irish tighten security after Dublin bombing", "Call for probe of British link to 1974 bombs", "Collusion in the South Armagh / Mid Ulster Area in the mid-1970's". [37] As the loyalist Maze commander, Spence initially also had jurisdiction over the imprisoned members of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), although this came to an end in 1973 when, following a deterioration in relations between the two groups outside the prison walls, James Craig became the UDA's Maze commander. She told mourners that he had made friends among republicans and socialists and among people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [9] He was also associated loosely with prominent loyalists such as Ian Paisley and Desmond Boal and was advised by both men in 1959 when he launched a protest against Gerry Fitt at Belfast City Hall after Fitt had described Spence's regiment as "murderers" over allegations that they had killed civilians in Cyprus. [125], The UVF has killed more people than any other loyalist paramilitary group. 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 then became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. [citation needed] There were also reports that UVF members fired shots at police lines during a protest. The former loyalist paramilitary leader Gusty Spence has died in hospital. [3] Spence Snr was a member of the Ulster Volunteers and had fought in the First World War. 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. [66] The UVF also killed senior IRA paramilitary members Liam Ryan, John 'Skipper' Burns and Larry Marley. Gusty Spence, who has died aged 78, was the . Afterwards a plot was concocted where his nephew Frankie Curry, also a UVF member, would drive Spence back to jail but the car would be stopped and Spence "kidnapped". [126] Later, in September 1972, Gusty Spence said in an interview that the organisation had a strength of 1,500. 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. While the Troubles broke out in 1969, the murders carried out by the UVF years earlier were seen as brutal sectarian attacks that shocked Northern Ireland. [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". Captain Robert Nairac of 14 Intelligence Company was alleged to have been involved in many acts of UVF violence. [106] Later, in September 1972, Gusty Spence said in an interview that the organisation had a strength of 1,500. The community centre hosting the event and 25 nearby homes were evacuated and a funeral was disrupted. [18] On 27 May, Spence ordered four UVF men to kill an Irish Republican Army (IRA) member, Leo Martin, who lived on the Falls Road. Since the ceasefire, the UVF has been involved in rioting, drug dealing, organised crime, loan-sharking and prostitution. [112] The vast majority of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. He was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison. 2023 BBC. 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. Gusty Spence (1933-2011) was a Loyalist paramilitary volunteer, a founding member and early leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Read about our approach to external linking. Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of the former loyalist leader Gusty Spence. of which I have been speaking. [39], Spence began to move towards a position of using political means to advance one's aims, and he persuaded the UVF leadership to declare a temporary ceasefire in 1973. [27] Spence appointed Samuel McClelland as UVF Chief of Staff in his stead. Slowly. Formed in 1965,[7] it first emerged in 1966. 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. The widow of former PUP leader David Ervine, Jeanette, also attended. "On behalf of Sinn Fein I would wish to extend my condolences to his family at this time.". Sun 25 Sep 2011 13.46 EDT. [citation needed]. [29], On 12 August 1969, the "Battle of the Bogside" began in Derry. It was the deadliest attack of the Troubles. [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. Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The UVF's declared goals were to combat Irish republicanism particularly the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and to maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. He later became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. Bistir na Seanchille. He was the first RUC officer to be killed during the Troubles. The new Brigade Staff's aim was to carry out attacks against known republicans rather than Catholic civilians. "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? It claimed the pubs were used for republican fundraising. [17], On 7 May 1966, a group of UVF men led by Spence petrol bombed a Catholic-owned pub on the Shankill Road. "[140], Protestants in Canada also supported the loyalist paramilitaries in the conflict. . Known IRA men will be executed mercilessly and without hesitation. Gusty Spence announced the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The arms are thought to have consisted of: The UVF used this new infusion of arms to escalate their campaign of sectarian assassinations. 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. 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. "He was an Irishman and looked upon himself as an Ulster Irishman as well as being British. [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. Independentie. [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". Both of them shared "a deep sense of history", and he spoke of Mr Lynch's "lasting ambition" to see peace in Ireland. The newspaper also reported that the group refused to decommission its weapons. [64] Republicans responded to the attacks by assassinating senior UVF members John Bingham, William "Frenchie" Marchant and Trevor King[65] as well as Leslie Dallas, whose purported UVF membership was disputed both by his family and the UVF. 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. [55] The hawks had been ousted by those in the UVF who were unhappy with their political and military strategy. 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. Though, for its own purposes, it assumed the same name it has nothing else in common. After his release December 1984, Spence was a key figure in developing UVF thinking and indirectly its political wing, the Progressive Unionist Party. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. [60], In the 1980s, the UVF was greatly reduced by a series of police informers. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Gusty Spence received primary education at Riddell Memorial (1938-43) and Hemsworth Square (1943-7) public elementary schools, both in the Shankill area. The Irish parliament's Joint Committee on Justice called the bombings an act of "international terrorism" involving the British security forces. [85][86] Fifty-year-old Stockman was stabbed more than 10 times in a supermarket in Belfast; the attack was believed to have been linked to the Moffett killing. Adair's men forced their way into Spence's Shankill home but found it empty, as Spence tended to spend much of the summer at a caravan he owned in Groomsport. Augustus (Gusty) Spence Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Protestant paramilitary organization founded in Northern Ireland in 1966. 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