The head of PSNI has never held discussions with leading loyalist Winston Irvine about the decommissioning of weapons, the Supreme Court heard today.
Assistant Chief of Police Bobby Singleton also confirmed that there was no telephone conversation between them the day before a bag full of weapons and ammunition was found in the trunk of Irvine’s car, a judge said.
Prosecutors provided the update as a second man accused of confiscation in Belfast earlier this month applied for bail.
Robin Workman of Shore Road in Larne, Co. Antrim, has been charged with possession of firearms and ammunition under suspicious circumstances, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of a non-certified pistol and possession of unauthorized ammunition.
Assistant Chief of Staff Bobby Singleton (Image: PSNI)
The 51-year-old self-employed carpenter allegedly transported the weapons to a meeting with Irvine in the Glenkern area of North Belfast on June 8.
Police say Workman stopped and removed an object from his van during an interaction between the two suspects.
Irvine’s car was then stopped on Disraeli Street, where police found two suspected pistols, an air pistol, shops and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in a Leather Calvin Klein leather box in a plastic shopping bag in the trunk.
He denied knowing anything about the contents of the bag.
Irvine from the Balizilan area of Belfast is currently in custody on the same charges of firearms.
His lawyer describes him as a “famous peace builder” who believes he is transferring things from one person to “an honest broker on the other side”.
He was previously thought to have been in telephone contact with ACC Singleton on July 7, the day before his car was stopped, as part of efforts to support weapons out of use.
In court today, the prosecution’s lawyer said: “Mr Irvine did provide a prepared statement to say that he worked as an interlocutor, and he said that by appointment he had been instructed to visit certain places, including Disraeli Street, and before that. has been involved in the decommissioning of weapons.
“But he did not go so far in his prepared statement to say that this was the exact purpose of his presence at this time.”
She also provided a response from the PSNI Senior Officer to the alleged contact.
“ACC Singleton has confirmed that there was no phone call between Mr Irvine and him,” the lawyer said.
“They did not talk on the phone on the 7th [of June] nor did he have any conversation about the decommissioning of weapons with Mr. Irvine.
Workman was also arrested on June 8 after attending a meeting at Balimena Hospital, Ko Antrim.
Based on video surveillance and forensic evidence, detectives believe he was the driver of the van involved in the exchange with Irvine.
His DNA is a potential contribution to a mixed profile found on the handle of a leather bag, the court heard.
Opposing his release, the prosecutor said: “The find has all the hallmarks of a criminal organization with ammunition and weapons that look terribly authentic.
It is alleged that a UVF jumper and a magazine, a paramilitary flag and weapons books were also found at an address associated with Workman.
He denies being the driver of the van involved in the alleged handover of the weapon.
Defense attorney Paul Bacon claims that the video surveillance footage of the incident was hidden and stressed that his client was not selected in an identification procedure.
“It has to do with a weak DNA blow to a moving object, the handle of a bag,” Mr Bacon added.
Reserving his decision on the request for release, Judge O’Hara said: “I want time to consider the allegations.
To receive the latest news directly in your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter.
Add Comment