Housing association linked to loyalist UVF boss Winston 'Winkie' Irvine to meet 'to discuss the current situation'

A HOUSING association linked to prominent loyalist and UVF boss Winston 'Winkie' Irvine is due to meet "to discuss the current situation"

  UVF BOSS: Unmasked Winston 'Winkie'        Irvine and the trustee of WSCHA

Mr Irvine is listed as a trustee of Woodvale and Shankill Community Housing Association (WSCHA), which is based in west Belfast. The well-known loyalist was one of two men arrested last week by police investigating a hoax bomb alert targeting the Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in north Belfast in March.

Mr Irvine, pictured above, appeared in court last weekend charged with several offences including possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. A second man, 51-year-old Robin Workman, appeared in court on Monday in connection with the same incident.

Mr Workman, of Shore Road in Larne, was also remanded into custody on firearms charges. Earlier this week Belfast SDLP councillor Carl Whyte, whose grandmother Peggy Whyte (52) was murdered along with an RUC man in a bomb outside her home in 1982, called for Mr Irvine to be removed as a trustee of the housing association.

A spokesman for the Charity Commission said: "that the commission's enquiries team is aware of the matter which has been reported in the news and is engaging with the charity". "As this is a live matter, no further comment can be provided at this time," it added. 

In a statement WSCHA said the matter will be considered next week. 

"The trustees of the association will be meeting early next week to discuss the current situation and take what action it deems necessary," the statement said.

(L-R) Pictured: Rodney Champion, Project worker, Winston Irvine, Intercomm – Carrickfergus Project Manager, Paddy Harte, IFI Chairperson and Jamie-Lee Moagy, Project worker

Intercomm Ireland, where Mr Irvine worked as a project manager, has remained silent over his future. 

With many thanks to the: Irish News and Connla Young Security Correspondent for the original publication.

Follow these links to find out more on this story: UNMASKED: UVF Commander Winston 'Winkie' Irvine as police fear an escalation of loyalist violence back on our streets

Loyalist's employer silent over his future

Prominent loyalist UVF boss listed as a director of several companies