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Veteran UVF leader Gusty Spence's funeral in Belfast Hundreds attend former UVF leader Gusty Spence's funeral in Belfast
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral of the veteran UVF leader Gusty Spence is being held. Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of the former loyalist leader Gusty Spence.
In keeping with his wishes the service will not reflect his time as a leading figure in loyalism. A number of friends and family members spoke at the service at St Michael's Church of Ireland on the Shankill Road.
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. 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 funeral service got under way at midday on the Shankill Road in Belfast and he will be buried in Bangor. 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.
In the 1960s, he founded the Ulster Volunteer Force, which was responsible for hundreds of murders during the Troubles.