Former UVF prisoners return to jail with artistic convictions

DUP Minister says men behind Crumlin Road exhibits are inspiration for working-class loyalists

 Artist and former prisoner George Morrow at the opening of a month-long  exhibition at Crumlin Road Gaol of works  by former loyalist and republican prisoners. Photograph: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Artist and former prisoner George Morrow at the opening of a month-long exhibition at Crumlin Road Gaol of works by former loyalist and republican prisoners. Photograph: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

“This is the best reception I have ever had here,” said former UVF prisoner George Morrow in the confines of Crumlin Road jail yesterday. He could joke, because he could walk out again.

Morrow, with fellow former loyalist prisoners Billy McConnell and Bobby Mathieson, had spent time in the cockroach-infested prison during the Troubles but yesterday they were in the less oppressive company of junior DUP Minister Jonathan Bell, some art experts and a number of ex-loyalist and republican prisoners.

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