SUPPORTERS of a notorious loyalist leader linked to an estimated 20 murders are due to gather at his graveside to honour his memory.
Billy Wright, who founded the Loyalist Volunteer Force after breaking with the UVF in the mid-1990s, was shot dead inside the Maze prison 25 years ago today.
A post shared on social media encouraged loyalists to pay tribute to what they describe as a "true son of Ulster" at his grave in Seagoe Cemetery in Portadown today.
Organisers said "the event will be solely to remember a true loyalist martyr" and "there will be no display of support for any groupings or organisations".
"All loyalists, regardless of background, are welcome to pay their respects," they said.
Wright broke away from the UVF as he disagreed with that organisation being on ceasefire amid negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The LVF, which was active largely between 1996 and 1998, was linked to 14 murders and a spate of other sectarian killings following his assassination by three INLA members.
Wright's UVF unit killed Charlie Fox (63) and his wife Tess (53), in their home near Moy in Co Tyrone in September 1992.
Last night their son Paddy, who is a member of the Mid Ulster Families campaign group, raised questions about the proposed anniversary event.
"It's hard to equate martyrdom with the murder of pregnant women and schoolboys playing video games in a taxi office amongst the many of his innocent Catholic victims," he said.
"Billy Wright was the leader of a sectarian gang whose only idea of loyalty seems to have been to himself and his own ego. Even his leaders within loyalism and state agency handlers had enough of him in the end. He left nothing behind that is worthwhile remembering."
Among the other victims was Michael McGoldrick, randomly chosen because he worked for a "Catholic" taxi firm and shot dead during the Drumcree dispute in 1996 as a birthday present to Wright, according to testimony at the trial of his killer, Clifford McKeown.
In a recent interview, the 31-year-old's mother Bridie said: "I think of the man who killed Michael every day. I have prayed for him every day. How do you forgive someone who murdered your child? I didn't do the forgiving. God gave me the grace to forgive and I have to ask for that every day."
Wright, by his own account, joined the youth wing of the UVF as a teenager in the mid-1970s. He was jailed in the late 1970s for a number of years and for a period after stayed away from the organisation.
He rejoined the mid-Ulster grouping under the leadership of Robin 'The Jackal' Jackson. This grouping was linked to some 40 murders, mostly random Catholics.
Following his dispute with the organisation, Wright formed the LVF. He was jailed in 1997 for intimidating a female witness and sentenced to eight years.
Wright was killed in the Maze by a three-member INLA team, Christopher 'Crip' McWilliams, John Kennaway and John "Sonny" Glennon, on December 27 1997.
Following a long campaign by Wright's father, David, an inquiry into his death and claims of state collusion was held. The inquiry found major problems with the management of the prison but no collusion.
Many of his supporters still believe there was state involvement in his killing.
