LVF is ready to destroy weapons
Move to follow stand down of ‘military units’
By Chris Thornton
31 October 2005
Click to view
The LVF is considering the decommissioning of its weapons in the aftermath of the group’s decision to stand down, loyalist sources confirmed today.
The group has told intermediaries that members secured most of its arsenal before announcing that its “military units” would cease activity.
Loyalist sources have said there are indications of a new atmosphere in paramilitary ranks since last month’s decommissioning by the IRA.
As well as today’s move by the LVF, the UDA last week renewed contact with General John de Chastelain’s Decommissioning Body. The UVF is reportedly considering similar moves.
With the LVF also reaching an end to its feud with the UVF, sources said there are expectations their weapons should be disposed of properly.
“They’re going to have that debate now,” a loyalist source said. “People are encouraging them along that road.”
The LVF was the first terror group to decommission weapons, handing over a small amount to be destroyed in December 1998. That move was taken so its prisoners would qualify for early release from the Maze and was not followed up by further acts.
In a statement, the LVF said it had ordered its units to stand down at midnight last night.
However, the decision was mainly believed to be a condition for the ending of the feud with the UVF.
UVF leaders had vowed to wipe out the LVF during the feud, which took place mainly over the summer.
During the dispute, the UVF killed four men who had little or no connection with the LVF. It failed to strike at the group’s leadership, although in the longer term the LVF seemed incapable of stopping the more powerful UVF.
The LVF carried out two murder attempts, according to the Independent Monitoring Commission.
The Loyalist Commission, which includes politicians, churchmen and paramilitaries, helped settle the feud. In a statement last night, the group said: “We now believe the feud has permanently ended.”
The LVF broke away from the UVF in 1996, when Portadown loyalist Billy Wright fell out with UVF leaders. The group killed its first victim later that year, murdering Catholic taxi driver Michael McGoldrick during the Drumcree dispute.
Wright was later jailed for intimidation. He was killed inside the Maze by the INLA in 1997.
After his death the LVF - supported by elements in the UDA - carried out a series of sectarian murders in response to Wright’s killing. This was the group’s most active period, but without Wright’s leadership it quickly became more disorganised. Security sources consider it mainly a drug dealing group now.
North Belfast MP, Nigel Dodds, welcomed the end of the feud, saying he hoped “that this announcement will be evidenced on the ground and that people’s lives will return to normal”.
SDLP MLA, Alex Attwood, said the LVF announcement was welcome “as far as it goes, but everyone wants to see a lot more”.
He added: “There have been a number of false dawns around the LVF before. That is why people will be cautious.”
