UVF Terrorist - Turned Peacemaker - Turned Terrorist - Winston 'Winkie' Irvine suspended from Intercomm Ireland without pay

THE north Belfast-based organisation that employs UVF terrorist Winston 'Winkie' Irvine has suspended him without pay.

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

    BOTTOM PICTURE: 'Winkie' unmasked                       in UVF balaclava. 

Mr Irvine was one of two men caught red-handed transporting terrorist weaponry in north Belfast. He claimed at the time ACC Bobby Singleton was fully aware they being transported for the purpose of decommissioning a claim later rebuked by ACC Singleton. The PSNI pat the time of his arrest said: "It had all the hallmarks of a terrorist operation". 

Two men were arrested at the time Mr Irvine along with Robin Workman earlier this month by police investigating a hoax bomb alert targeting Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in north Belfast in March. When they intercepted Irvine's SUV he was found to be carrying firearms and over 2000 rounds of ammunition. 

He later appeared in court charged with several offences including possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. In a statement last night, a spokesman for his employer, Intercomm Ireland, which describes itself as a "conflict resolution organisation", said "It took the decision on Wednesday 15th June 2022 to suspend Mr Irvine, without pay". 

The spokesman added that the decision will be reviewed on July 1st. Mr Irvine is due to appear in court on that date. It has been reported that he is employed by the group as a project manager earning £35,000 per year. Earlier this week it was confirmed that he had resigned from the board of a west Belfast housing association. 

In a statement, Woodvale and Shankill Community Housing Association confirmed Mr Irvine was no longer a board member or director of its subsidiaries. 

Yesterday The Irish News also revealed other concerns that have been raised about Mr Irvine's involvement in a £5.1 million project funded through European peace money with the support of the Irish government. 

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

Follow these links to find out more on this story and other stories regarding Mr Irvine: Pup's Winston 'Winkie' Irvine exposed as UVF Commander

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

UVF Call To Arms Over Protocol Doomsday Scenario

PSNI/RUC Assistant Chief Constable and Winston Irvine did not talk about decommissioning weapons before arms find, court told.