David Irvine was a good speaker. As the political face of the UVF he spoke reasonably about the conflict in Northern Ireland. He was influenced by Gusty Spence who had formulated a tit for tat killing strategy targeting any Catholics in reprisal for IRA killings.
Spence had seen that the war could not be won militarily and that the traditional loyalist political parties did not represent the UVF supporters and fighters. The Maze was a good place to study with the Open University, and David Irvine got stuck in learning the Irish language and English Literature.
I would imagine that there were plenty of opportunities in the Maze to debate politics with UDA and UVF inmates. On Irvine’s early release he campaigned for the Progressive Unionist Party receiving death threats on a regular basis.
By the time Senator George Mitchell came to Belfast there was a real chance at a peaceful settlement. Irvine played his part in convincing PUP supporters that a fair deal could be achieved to end the killing. His contribution to the peace process was extremely valuable.
Credibility was vital if the men of violence were to be persuaded to put down their arms. Irvine had served his time with the UVF but recognised that a political solution was the way forward. Martin McGuiness had made a similar journey from paramilitary to politician. Without their contributions it is doubtful that a peaceful settlement could have been achieved.
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