High-profile loyalist Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine is to stand trial over the discovery of guns and ammunition in the boot of his car, a judge has ordered.
The 48-year-old failed on Friday to have the case thrown out at a preliminary hearing where one of Northern Ireland’s top police officers gave evidence on his claims to be a “trusted interlocutor” in the peace process.
Prosecutors also disclosed that UVF-related badges, plaques and photographs were discovered during follow-up searches at Irvine’s home in Belfast.
He faces charges connected to the haul of weapons seized in the north of the city in June 2022.
Co-accused Robin Workman, from Shore Road in Larne, allegedly transported the guns in his van to a meeting at Glencairn Street.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard a number of police surveillance officers identified Irvine in a Volkswagen Tiguan parked in the area.
He was observed in conversation with 53-year-old Workman before closing the boot of his car and driving off, a Crown lawyer claimed.
A short time later police detained Irvine at Disraeli Street in the city.
When asked if there was anything in the car he could not account for, Irvine replied “bag in the boot”.
A long-barrelled firearm, two suspected pistols, several magazines, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were discovered inside a holdall in the boot.
Irvine, of Ballysillan Road in Belfast, denies knowing anything about the contents of the bag.
Both defendants are currently on bail charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate, and having ammunition without a certificate.
As they appeared in the dock together, Workman did not challenge prosecution submissions that he has a prima facie case to answer.
However, Irvine called Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton as a witness in his attempt to have the charges dismissed.
The court heard the two men have known each other for ten years, stretching back to Mr Singleton’s role as an area commander dealing with parading disputes in north Belfast.
Their last contact before the weapons seizure was about wanting the police chief to speak at a communities in transition event, but they never discussed any weapons decommissioning.
Mr Singleton confirmed Irvine has his mobile number and that all their dealings were on issues of peace and reconciliation.
Defence solicitor Darragh Mackin put to him that he knew of his client’s role in resolving a parading standoff, ending riots over the Northern Ireland Protocol, and attending sensitive talks on legacy issues held in London.
It was suggested that he worked with Irvine as an interlocutor or mediator in attempts to ease local tensions.
“I would be more familiar with the term community representative in that context,” Mr Singleton replied.
He accepted, however, that it was a difficult role.
District Judge Anne Marshall was told phones and memory sticks seized from Irvine’s home contained photographs of UVF pins, a bullet casing and handgun, as well as images of men in paramilitary clothing in front of a mural.
An array of badges, commemorative plaques for volunteers and a balaclava were also found at the property.
Irvine made no comment during police interviews but provided a prepared statement in which he claimed to have worked as a mediator for reconciliation over many years.
Mr Markin argued that those claims were supported by Mr Singleton’s evidence of dealing with him as a community representative.
However, Judge Marshall reiterated that the guns and ammunition were found in the boot of Irvine’s car.
Ruling that there is a reasonable case against Irvine, she confirmed : “I’m going to return (both defendants) for trial at Belfast Crown Court.”
The two accused were released on continuing bail, to appear next for their arraignment on a date to be fixed.