Loyalist's 1981

[@cabbageo2483]

David Ervine is one of the most respective loyalists that i will ever respect! man speaks his own mind and uses his own initiative - from a republican

[@ATLmodK]

I have a hard time with the hard core loyalists, but I appreciate listening to David Ervine. He was an intelligent feeling man with an understanding of working people. We lost somebody who could be of such help with the boycott of Stormont we are currently experiencing.

[@TheNoSuchThingPodcast]

As a Catholic who grew up in Northern Ireland I found myself sitting beside Ervine at a BBC conference. My only regret is not shaking his hand

[@cormacmacdonncha1052]

I never would have expected that the loyalist prisoners were such an articulate group. What a shame that the hunger strikes ever happened, and, as David Ervine rightly said, polarised the communities for an additional.20 years. He is sadly missed as the other contributors have said.

[@Universe2master]

RIP David Ervine... A true gentleman. From a republican.

[@wks107tdv123]

He was okay. He was the nicest out of the Loyalists. I was pissed off about his comments over the Dublin & Monaghan bombings. He said it was the UVF returning the serve that the Provos had been doing to Protestants.. When in reality the UVF had been bombing the 26 counties before the Provos were even formed. And the Provos never tried to kill that much innocent Protestants in one go.

[@velvet01able]

wks107tdv123 Bloody friday? Armaugh? Hello!

[@RobertK1993]

+Ciaran Driver David sympathised with republicans in the end lol

[@gerrycraig1229]

good call

[@RobertK1993]

Anthony Inger No excuse for two wrongs.

[@francisboyle3271]

One of the better loyalists. a true and gentleman. very clever. and respectful. the world would be a better place with ppl like him in it. RIP.

[@shayomega7779]

i am from a republican background and i have to say i wish david was here today so honest in what he says

[@RobertK1993]

shayomega I don’t good Riddance none of his community miss Martin Mc Guinness.

[@shayomega7779]

@@RobertK1993 what

[@kevinlynch9438]

shayomega shayomega : well mo chara... Your a better man than me!! Fuck em!!

[@kevinlynch9438]

Pablo Escobar Pablo: very true 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 🇮🇪✊🏻🇵🇸

[@michaelhagan9177]

he's no different to mcguinness! 2 men born in a fucked up situation, took up arms and then contributed to peace. total respect for the man and I'm a republican

[@louisemurray3279]

I still believe to this day that David Ervine was one of the greatest losses politically to this country! And has never been replaced , his intelligent observations and will to achieve an equal and fair power sharing for all in Northern Ireland was and is still unsurpassed! He made me question myself and some of my political beliefs through his deep understanding of the working class values and cultures of both sides! One of the best interviews was when he was interviewed by the great Bobby Hanvey on Downtown Radio and he spoke about his childhood and family! It was not for the news it was just him showing his influences and what shaped the man!

[@deiselden]

+Louise Murray i only watched this video today,but i totally agree with you.

[@louisemurray3279]

+den lyd Glad You enjoyed it! He definitely Would have made a Great 1st minister if he hadn't been cruelly called prematurely to his final destination! If I can find the Bobby Hanvey interview with him I shall try to forward it to You!

[@deiselden]

thanks

[@W.A.T.P...55]

Louise Murray hi Louise reading between the lines of your post I take it after listening to the late Mr Ervine you maybe changed your way of thinking regarding the troubles,,,I'm from Glasgow but have family in Belfast....I used to think I was proddy who hated republicans,,,but I was very stupid,,,,,and wrong,,,,,both sides were wrong in and too many lives were lost be it unionists or Catholic,,,,I wish everybody in Northern Ireland all the very best for the future and hope people can live together without killing each other..

[@matthewgabbard6415]

@@louisemurray3279You are right, and instead you got stuck with that idiot Paisley. The man who’s voice itself is a weapon. Idk how anyone ever listed to him on any subject. Politics or religion

[@westbrit4714]

He was a man ( Ervine) who was able to see a bigger picture, his relative early dearth was a huge loss to the North and in fact all of Ireland

[@thehorrorification]

+West Brit I am from a Nationalist area and of a Republican political persuasion but Ervine was someone I had huge respect for. He was a voice of reason and could have made an important contribution to politics in N.I.

[@westbrit4714]

thehorrorification I am from a discreetly non- nationalist area of South Dublin ! But I am Grateful for your confirmation of my probably half informed view, Shame that he doesn't seem to have a natural Successor in working class unionism

[@thehorrorification]

West Brit Who knew there were Unionist areas in Dublin?! You live and learn. Ervine was to my eyes, one of very few Unionist politicians that wasn't just interested in point scoring and inflammatory rhetoric. I agreed with almost everything he said, (apart from his main Unionist standpoint obviously) he was a rational man and would have become an important figure in politics here if he hadn't died when he did. Comparing him to the likes of Jim Alister is like night and day.

[@westbrit4714]

thehorrorification Other then me nobody would say it unless as a insult- but we did have a Unionist councillor's until the mid 30's although I don't mean to suggest people paint the cobbles of Ballsbridge Red, White and Blue!

[@westbrit4714]

***** Nothing wrong with that in my view . Trouble is too many people on the Island don't get that British is not a Ethnicity so think they can't be both

[@gerrycraig1229]

I so admired David Irvine....such a sad loss to his family n his community.an honest man who done what he thought he had to do was right.God bless you....from a nationalist Roman Catholic...R.I.P. David

[@freemindthinkerezrapound5071]

David Irvine was decades ahead of his time , a man i would have loved to have met

[@bennyisrael2967]

RIP David Ervine, one of the greatest politicians ever. A huge huge loss.

[@michaelahern6821]

Yeah he's returning the serve with Paisley below now lol

[@bennyisrael2967]

Michael Ahern Cant stand Paisley politics, he caused so much division and in my opinion even caused death in his own community. However I respect the man. RIP.

[@michaelahern6821]

Respect a man that fanned the flames for decades. Yeah i respect Yasser Arafat for standing up to tyranny.

[@flute4hire]

i've been looking for this for a while. David Ervine a true hero. RIP Comrade.

[@barrylyons9296]

I'm 42 and from Meath. I have seen a good bit of this world. I've never had a pint with a Northern Protestant. That's fucked up.

[@guitarchoonz]

Irvine he stuck his neck out for the peace process ..respect

[@paddybyrne7648]

Nothing but respect for Mr Ervine

[@Whizzy-jx3qe]

David Ervine the only loyalist to quote Edward Carson about unionist alienation of the catholic minority and what that alienation eventually led to.

[@W.A.T.P...55]

Rip David Ervine a true gent in a fucked up society

[@haroldbhoy67]

derek miller Whilst i condemn all killings etc Ervine does come across as a well thought and approachable man. Its a shame he is not around to see his fellow countrymen enjoying a bit of peace

[@JakeMcCredieEire09]

Thank U very much for uploading this Documentary.

[@raleighburner1589]

Always liked Dave Irvine a real gentleman even though he was a member of the uvf caught with explosives sentenced to 11 year's he was obviously a hard guy but he was willing to make changes rip to David ervine

[@brianw3688]

A great shame he died early. If loyalism had more people like him things wouldn't be as they are. A genuine visionary, i may have disagreed totally with him on most issues, but he had balls.

[@mairebradley9014]

I agree we need a man of his courage and forward thinking to help unravel our seemly unending our historic situation Maire

[@justinlaughlin9765]

This Man talked a lot of sense major loss to the peace process.. me coming from a Catholic background R.I.P

[@stephensmith4480]

I could listen to David Ervine all day, a man of common sense and about as articulate as they come. RIP.

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

to me, he was the loyalist gerry adams. a leader, thinker, calm, understood both sides of the conflict, great communicator, intelligent, aware, strategic and genuinely wanted to convince people to do down the democracy lane. In addition, both were hairy of face and deep of vocal tone lol!

[@stephensmith4480]

@@BelfastManUtdTherapy I have often thought of him as a Loyalist Gerry Adams, you are spot on there mate. Both were excellent communicators.

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

@@stephensmith4480 was hoping there'd be a few documentaries on him but so far I can't find any

[@stephensmith4480]

@@BelfastManUtdTherapy I know what you mean, he crops up on the odd video but I would love to see a full documentary about him. There is a Three part one about Gusty Spence, telling his life story, it's on Tape. I saw the first one but I can't seem to find the others anymore. I will have to have a proper look, the first one was really good.

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

@@stephensmith4480just found out there was a show in the lyric theatre, ended last month, a one man, tribute to David Irvine. It revealed he took lessons in Irish too at one time! Belfastlive gave it top marks. To be honest I'm not much into arty farty one man lyric theatre stuff lol, but wish I'd known about it.

[@Captaintikei]

Pure Genius David Ervine!! Sorely missed!

[@johnbhoy8813]

David Ervine was the only decent loyalist politician that came from any of the unionist parties and was merely welcomed by many nationalists and some republicans. The fella spoke sence for all and not for a few.

[@TheNoSuchThingPodcast]

Ervine:”something bad happened to us as a people and we should be trying to figure out what that something was”. This guy is sadly missed and I wished he had been around longer to hear his voice- a Catholic

[@craigsutherland4726]

Mr Ervine, an amazing man and loyalist, sorely missed

[@craigsutherland2408]

legend David Ervine

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

For me David Irvine was the loyalist Gerry Adams. A thinker, strategic, calm, clear of thought, intelligent, knew his stuff, was a leader, a listener and aware of his own peoples sacrifices, suffering and not reactionary, also both were hairy of face and had a deep vocal tone!! peace and love

[@Thetemplarsmonk]

David Ervine very well spoken man

[@RUDI-UK]

Now this is Loyalism as its most coherent.

[@RUDI-UK]

Oh aye Brendan McGlinchey

[@RUDI-UK]

If you think Loyalists are all about Queen and country you are wrong. Most UDA/UFF only give a fuck about defending their community against IRA violence, not fighting for Queen and country. Go back to your an Phoblacht you misguided piece of shit.

[@RUDI-UK]

LOL

[@RUDI-UK]

Brendan McGlinchey It's a pity you weren't one of their victims

[@velvet01able]

Brendan McGlinchey You know Jerry's brother is a nonce? The pope?

[@michelob81]

one of the best shows i've seen on youtube in a while. eye opening and the first time i've ever looked at loyalist prisoners as political. i always imagined they seen themselves as purely criminal but that could be down to me seeing clips of johnny adair describing himself as a terrorist and getting himself locked up for 16 years by talking to a cop with a tape recorder. from a nationalist standpoint we always see prison as the IRA. the struggle, but in any normal society most of the loyalists on here would never have set foot in a prison cell. glad i watched this

[@GH169]

What do you think of Billy Wright ?

[@deiselden]

we were played,manipulated,butchered,by the elite.a training ground for soldiers.lets never fight each other for the war mongorers.

[@thereverendchislet9566]

Thick c$%ts sent by rich c@#ts to kill poor c@#ts

[@dmfub2348]

If David Ervine was alive today I believe we would be in a better place than we are now. And I'm a Nationalist.

[@RebelofIreland]

Respect to David Ervine. Fantastic piece all round.

[@screengodess1]

If only loyalist's could attain the respect David had from the republican communities?

[@3storiesUp]

He was an absolute gentleman.

[@brendanw45]

I remember him being interviewed live on telly years ago, days after the RUC informed him of a death threat against him. He looked straight into the camera and said ''i've been threatened by bigger and better men, they know where to find me''. I thought fair play to you. A rare thing among Loyalists - someone who wasn't completely and absolutely consumed with blind sectarian bigotry.

[@ryanbyrne259]

Well said

[@joanneburns4343]

Im a Republican and i agree

[@fionntanobraonain1486]

R.I.P. David Ervine. The UVF's Gerry Adams but unlike the latter he tells the truth

[@RobertK1993]

Fionntán Ó Braonáin Good riddance to Ulster Scots I say IRA right challenge the bastards at their own game .

[@Isszarya]

We need more David Ervine's today he seemed to be fair minded

[@paulritchie5868]

Think this guy was an intelligent and compassionate man,fought for his cause but realised that violence was not the way,may he rest in peace.

[@mackenzieskinner3339]

Not just a tragedy for Northern Ireland nor indeed Ireland as a whole, but a tragedy for the world entire.

[@peteralgie1778]

a great man and and a man of peace i have read his manifesto he believed in the working class of Northern Ireland from both sides it is sad that the party have lost there way go back to what he longed for

[@boylefrankie2936]

they were all just products of their inviroment. But the loyalist prisoners benefited from the Hunger Strikes and the blanket protest. TAL32

[@Ferret999]

Respect regards david from an ex pow 👍

[@papaann4]

Great analysis.

[@LuckyRufey]

David was a remarkable human being. A rare ability to see the other’s view… a compassionate and wise leader. RIP David 🇬🇧 from a Republican

[@f.b508]

It's amazing to think that the prisoner's. Both loyalists and Republicans. Helped each other get messages and tabbacco. These men in this program are good men. That found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. On both sides of the divide

[@Garngadblue1]

On the outside theyrthey're enemies but whilst in prison it was us against them (prisoners v screws) so a kind of an uneasy alliance is set up.

[@gerardmck1051]

i have to agree with most off the comments david Ervine will be known in history as a peacemaker if only there was another who could have taken his place when he died. what a huge lost he has been a great mind and knew what he was talking about and being so honest even against his own side. but i also have to say how honest billy mc quiston was here also if only there people would only listen to theses people and see we our all the same and how they were used even the other one sam courtney how honest he is also by saying his own people would not support them when they were in jail. from what i read into what each man is saying the state was the cause a long with the unionists politicians cause as they found out in jail they were all fighting the same thing the state.if only we had more like theses men in government a long with the republicans being honest and willing to listen and try to find a way through we would have peace here.but when you have politicians who for there own gains want to keep us apart there will never be real peace here

[@gustavmarie]

This mighy be some of the most fascinating info from the Troubles era.

[@deiselden]

fascinating video..thanks for posting

[@screengodess1]

+den lyd What a clever thoughtful man David was!! This video was great!

[@liamkeane9159]

Ervine a man who had comom sense, from a republican

[@jimmymcwilly266]

He said it the way it was... respect xo RIP

[@thereverendchislet9566]

David Ervine was a wonderful man.

[@jahnaroth669]

Who was his friend at 6116 hill road? A very quiet attic dweller was he. Not so quiet here however.

[@cheiftain732]

RIP DAVID IRVINE . enemy but a honest one .

[@jameslarkin8494]

The loyalists wanted Political Status without the struggle,no to hunger strike,no to blanket protest. Republicans got them Status,not themselves.

[@PS1995-u8r]

Unionism lost one of it's best people in David Irvine..

[@RobertK1993]

P Sl Loyalists Unionists deserve no sympathy .

[@cheapy2006]

great post.

[@JohnCambridge-c6t]

The one loyalist who spoke any common sense

[@roddymcniven8734]

And we all sing along like before

[@kelzuya]

Great to hear this but the interviewer is asking the same question over and over and over...

[@Eggnoodlesandketchup3]

Is sam courtney a relative of mo courtney?

[@lorraineocallaghan7656]

A great man. Rip

[@nashcars100]

i recon david you and martin could have stopped this mad ness years ag

[@BFD1989]

The blind against the blind, surely. Crazy Brave, but surely blind.

[@rover9214]

When are you clowns going to realize you have far more in common than separates you .You are fighting one &other while you are been invaded North &South by third world rubbish Wise up

[@REPENTBELIEVE]

What drives a car is what drives men to violence, Fuel !

[@willleahy6958]

'Criminalization set the cause of peace back by 20 years.' 'Nuff said.

[@johnroysingleton5873]

This fight is always going to be strong and how we show our fight is not to persuade nationalist terrorism, but remove their thoughts of one

[@papadoc711]

David Ervine along with Gusty Spence from where they came and to what they would become, is highly respectable from a Republican background or point of view. Anyone from a republican background can understand why the likes of David got involved after in loyalist paramilitaries after the events of bloody Friday. although i do disagree with his views on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

[@Oldsoho]

Dirt, nothing but dirt. These people have never been soldiers are frankly just dirt.

[@jotepbollano6844]

Lot of sense talked there. Give peace a chance.

[@TheCrescentFusilier0961]

Loyalism needs a new working class political party

[@RobertK1993]

Robbie Wright DUP that is one.

[@jimmccormack7507]

War is wrong but these prisoners on both sides had to become animals to get clever. Eventually the cease fire and the good Friday agreement. We all have to live on this island.

[@jahnaroth669]

Go to AOL to forty deuce then the 'attic' he references.

[@dsd7004]

they should have joined the protest with republicans. they were political prisoners. probably not the hunger strike part as that was probably too extreme for that side, all round.

[@stephenoneill4345]

Fair play to you man

[@flute4hire]

Its a shame the Prisoners could of solved the whole issue of Northern Ireland in 1981. I beleve this is why Westminster built the H blocks to segregate as Loyalists & Republicans were talking & communicating in the huts at Long Kesh.

[@Captaintikei]

35.30 pure wisdom

[@nosebuzz007]

loyalists arnt criminals? this must be the biggest joke ever!!

[@kevinlynch9438]

I'm a Republican & although David speaks honestly (for a Loyalist) I miss him about as much as his barber!!! 🇮🇪✊🏻🇵🇸

[@the_red_barron1002]

What a stupid thing to say. You probably an armchair Republican.

[@manchesterblue2007]

david ervine is a great mind in NI politics Id love to have 3 minutes with him to let him know how wrong he was

[@TheQuigg11]

manchesterblue2007 you know he's deceased?

[@manchesterblue2007]

Mick EIRE umm...yes

[@anthonyinger2867]

+manchesterblue2007 Why was he wrong?

[@manchesterblue2007]

Anthony Inger He saw the hunger strike as a waste. Without the hunger strike and consequent depth of feeling surrounding issues brought to light during the hunger strike and also the dialogue opened up between all factions that wouldnt have been possible without it, the peace process as we recognise it today would not have been possible.

[@edmund184]

36:52 it's called multi-cultural

[@joanneburns4343]

These men talk the truth and its a pity they wernt allowed to get together in 1981 and have support frm the outside....they could have caused a stop to the troubles....Loyalist and IRA talking together....

[@bennyreed2900]

Joanne. My girl 👧, It was brits, who didn't want to stop.boming of London brought brits to ther senses. Then and only then that they gave a shite-

[@gceltmc]

interesting points of view. pity these guys couldnt see eye to eye on the outside.

[@abdulabdullah3679]

John 4:24 Isaiah 44:13-20 read God's word ,this is the yardstick and see if your religion or religious leader meets this criteria. Murder is not the way.

[@jasonace007able]

36:36 deep

[@kathyoberle9093]

I think it so cruel to let prisoners die of starvation, they should force feed them!

[@stephenoneill4345]

two loyalists one making excuses one being a man.Remember when jacko had the fish taken out of his plate he run back into his cell and the rest followed.Only 2 Republicans and yus all run to your cells

[@adambelfast1]

Wasn't aware of that story. Could you go in to more detail?

[@24zelock]

you dont need to ask nothing of what happen to us as a people david , your unionist goverment and their discrimination and treatment as second class of the catholic comunity is the answer your looking for , i cant take it in that your that blind to this , still had respect for you all the same the only unionist who actuly cared about his comunity , the rest or only interested in drug dealing and draging their own children down