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Veteran UVF leader Gusty Spence's funeral in Belfast | Veteran UVF leader Gusty Spence's funeral in Belfast |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The funeral of the veteran UVF leader Gusty Spence is being held. | |
In keeping with his wishes the service will not reflect his time as a leading figure in loyalism. | In keeping with his wishes the service will not reflect his time as a leading figure in loyalism. |
Instead, it will focus on his British Army past - his coffin will be draped with the regimental flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles, in which he served. | Instead, it will focus on his British Army past - his coffin will be draped with the regimental flag of the Royal Ulster Rifles, in which he served. |
The funeral service got under way at midday on the Shankill Road in Belfast and he will be buried in Bangor. | |
The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. | The 78-year-old died in hospital at the weekend after a long illness. |
In the 1960s, he founded the modern Ulster Volunteer Force, an organisation which was responsible for hundreds of sectarian murders 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. |
He was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison. | He was jailed for life for the murder of a Catholic barman in 1966 and served 18 years in prison. |
He then became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. | He then became involved in politics and announced the landmark loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in 1994. |