The brutal sectarian murder gang, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) announced on Sunday that it was standing down all its units following the announcement of an end to its summer feud with the rival UVF. During its nine-year existence the LVF was involved in sectarian murder and drug dealing. Ten of its members were killed as a result of feuds with other unionist paramilitaries.
The LVF has been blamed for more than a dozen sectarian killings since it was founded in mid-Ulster in 1996. The LVF was formed by Portadown loyalist Billy Wright after the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) leadership stood down his unit in 1996.
Wright was shot dead in the Maze prison in December 1997.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said: "Given the LVF's history, nationalists and republicans will of course be cautious of anything being said or promised by them." He added: "This grouping has a history of sectarian violence, murders and widespread drug dealing, so with relation to the LVF, it is very much wait and see."
Some just aren't buying it.
Terry Enright, whose son Terry Enright Junior was murdered by the LVF outside a Belfast night-club in 1997, said he would take a lot more convincing. "The LVF is a gang of criminals that tried to cover up its activities by carrying out sectarian murders," Enright said. "It is going to have to prove it is serious by decommissioning."
Loughgiel Sinn Féin Councilor, Anita Cavlan pointed out, “After the IRA statement in July the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) insisted on there being a long period to ‘assess’ the historic move in an effort to try and stall the process. But when it comes to the LVF however, a group that has not only been murdering innocent Catholics but has been involved in ruining young Protestant lives through the distribution of illegal drugs, it has only taken the DUP one day to assess their move as being genuine!!”
Jeffrey Donaldson, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said: "If we are to have any real hope of lasting peace, then all of the paramilitary groups must end their violent crime for good and also deal emphatically with the issue of illegal weapons."
Sinn Fein's Kelly said: "The LVF is a small part of the unionist paramilitary problem. The larger organizations the UVF and UDA have been involved in the summer months in ongoing violence and attacks on Catholics especially in areas like North Antrim. These campaigns need to end."
When the LVF announced that its members would be stood down from midnight on Sunday, it said the move was in response to the IRA's decision to disarm and it was not "leaving the stage from a position of weakness or under threat".
According to a source cited by the Guardian, the LVF leadership secured its arms before ordering members to stand down. The group, which handed over some weapons in 1998 in order for members to qualify for early release from the Maze prison, might now consider disposing of the rest through the decommissioning body led by General John De Chastelain. "They're going to have that debate now," the source said.
Michael McGoldrick (63), from Craigavon, Co Armagh, whose Catholic taxi driver son Michael was murdered in July 1996, believes the commitment by the paramilitary group to stand down marks a significant step forward in the peace process.
His son, a married 31-year-old father-of-one, was killed during the Drumcree protest by renegade members of the UVF who formed the LVF.
McGoldrick yesterday said he hoped the weekend announcement marked a final chapter in the group's history.
"I am very glad that they have stood down and I would be glad if all paramilitary groups stood down," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "I can only hope that it is genuine and I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the politicians to get together and make Northern Ireland a better community for all, I think that is important for everyone.
"I am happy because I see this as a positive step in the right direction towards taking all guns away."
"I would say that there are a lot of people imprisoned that, had it not been for the Troubles, would never have seen the inside of a prison," McGoldrick added.
"I never wanted revenge, not even justice; all I wanted was for it to stop."
Footnotes
Loyalist Volunteer Force
Volatile loyalist paramilitary splinter group formed in 1996. Behind more than 15 murders
Ulster Volunteer Force
Loyalist paramilitary group formed in 1966 to combat nationalists. Responsible for more than 500 deaths
Ulster Defense Association
Biggest loyalist paramilitary organization in Northern Ireland, it was banned in 1992. Estimated to have killed more than 400 people
Sources: Guardian, Sinn Fein News, Release, Belfast Telegraph
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