15 Facts About Larry Marley

Larry Marley was one of the masterminds behind the 1983 mass escape of republican prisoners from the Maze Prison, where Marley was imprisoned at the time, although he did not participate in the break-out.

Larry Marley was shot dead by an Ulster Volunteer Force unit two years after his release from the Maze.

Lawrence Larry Marley was born in Belfast in July 1945 and was raised a Roman Catholic.

Larry Marley grew up in the Ardoyne area in the north of the city and attended Holy Cross Boy's Primary and St Gabriel's Secondary schools.

Larry Marley became involved with the IRA in the early stages of the Troubles, and was a member of an active service unit in the Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade until his arrest in late 1972.

Larry Marley went on the run but was recaptured in Belfast in 1977.

Larry Marley was released from prison in November 1986 and returned to his home in Ardoyne.

Lawrence Larry Marley was fatally shot shortly after 9.00 pm on 2 April 1987 by an Ulster Volunteer Force unit that drove up to his home in Ardoyne.

The men knocked at the front door, and just as Larry Marley arrived to open it, they began firing at him through the door.

Larry Marley was mortally wounded and died of his injuries ninety minutes later in hospital.

Larry Marley was 41 years old at the time of his death and had six sons, the youngest aged two weeks.

Laurence Larry Marley had served a long prison sentence for IRA activities including blackmail and possession of arms and explosives.

Larry Marley's funeral was delayed for three days as the RUC refused to allow military displays at the graveside and formed a heavily armed cordon around his Ardoyne home.

Larry Marley was described as having been determined, unselfish, possessed of a resourceful intelligence and a readiness to help his friends and fellow volunteers.

UVF member Gerry Spence was one of the men later charged with Larry Marley's killing; but when he was brought to trial in April 1988, he was acquitted of Larry Marley's murder.