A prominent loyalist is on remand in custody after police said police found weapons and ammunition in a bag in the trunk of his car.
Winston Irvine, 46, of Balizila in northern Belfast on Wednesday, was arrested as police investigated a security alert that led to the evacuation of Irish Government Minister Simon Cowney from a peaceful event.
Irvine is accused of possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing prohibited firearms, possessing a gun without a certificate and possessing ammunition without a certificate.
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He appeared via video link at the Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Saturday wearing a red T-shirt.
Asked if he understood the allegations, Irvine said, “Yes, I understand.”
A detective inspector from PSNI told the court he could link Irvine to the charges.
The official told the court that officers had planned an operation to arrest Irvine on Wednesday in connection with an “unrelated issue”.
He said police spotted Irvine’s car on Glencairn Street when a van parked behind her and Irvine was seen opening the trunk of his car.
The detective inspector said Irvine was then stopped on Disraeli Street and officers found a number of firearms, cartridges and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in the trunk.
The clerk told the court that Irvine said he did not know what was in the bag.
A search of Irvine’s home turned up money, as well as UVF plaques and pendants, the court said.
A detective inspector objected to a request for bail.
He said: “The police case would be that this has the hallmarks of a paramilitary operation, given the amount of ammunition and the range of weapons and components that were found, which is typical of the type of paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland. access to.
“The people who would have access to such large sums would only be trusted members of the organization.”
Defense attorney Joe Broley told the court that Irvine should be released on bail.
He said: “The guarantor is a well-known peacebuilder in this community.
“A simple internet search will show that over the last 15 years he has been involved intensively in the peace process, reconciliation and peace programs.
“He has worked during the division for the last 20 years, that’s not in dispute.
“He not only works with former loyal prisoners, but also works intensively with former Republican prisoners and continues to do so.
“He has spent his life in public, advocating for peace in difficult situations.
“There is tension, especially in the loyalist community, and his role all the time is to keep an eye on it.”
District Judge George Connor rejected the bail application, saying “significant weapons and ammunition” had been seized.
Irvine was remanded in custody to appear in court again on July 1.
A 51-year-old man arrested in Balimena on Wednesday as part of the same investigation remains in custody.
The two arrests were made as part of a PSNI investigation into a security alert on March 25, when a peaceful event organized by the John and Pat Hume Foundation was disrupted.
The Houben Center on Crumlin Road was evacuated while Mr. Cowney gave an address and the funeral service at a nearby Holy Cross Church was suspended.
Police say the driver of the van was threatened by two gunmen and forced to drive a device he thought was a live bomb to the church.
The object in the van turned out to be a fraudulent bomb.
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Read more: The incident with Balimena shows that the man received stab wounds to the face and head
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