Gusty Spence has died

By Chris Grizzell

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) has been a name synonymous with violence, sectarian divide, and a long history of blood in Northern Ireland. Not as politically motivated as their nationalist contemporaries, they dedicated themselves to spreading fear and terror through the nationalist (and certainly the Catholic) community in Northern Ireland. Their leader was Gusty Spence, who was caught and imprisoned for killing a barman in 1966, and imprisoned for 18 years. Originally a life sentence, he was released under the terms of the Belfast Agreement, after which he began devoting himself to the peace process in northern Ireland.
Gusty was the example of what rehabilitation is supposed to accomplish. His ability to work with both sides of the pervasive conflict in Northern Ireland showed extremely well, particularly to his sworn enemy the Catholics. His influence as a man that challenged traditional Loyalism after his jailing showed a mature turnaround that many on both sides have yet to experience; some never had the chance to.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15051920