UVF Commander Winston 'Winkie' Irvine waiting on DNA reports to see if he will face any charges for having half a UVF arms dump discovered in his car

Leading loyalist Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine may find out in eight weeks’ time if he will be prosecuted for allegedly having guns and ammunition in the boot of his car, a court has heard.

  UVF Commander Winston 'Winkie' Irvine 

             September 23rd, 2022.

The 47-year-old is currently facing charges connected to the haul of weapons seized in Belfast earlier this year.

But a judge was told on Friday that results are awaited on forensic tests and telephone analysis being carried out as part of the investigation.

“There are still outstanding DNA and fingerprint reports,” a Crown lawyer said.

“It’s indicated that most of these should be with the PPS (Public Prosecution Service) within the next few weeks.”

Irvine, of Ballysillan Road in the city, is on bail in connection with the find made in the city on June 8th.

     If Winkie does not face charges over             the weapons find it stinks to high                                     heaven 

He is accused of 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.

   FACT: Winston 'Winkie' Irvine must be         charged over the discovery of illegal            weaponry discovered in the boot of            his car in the name of so-called law          and order here. Is it one law in NI for               the UVF and another law for                                   everyone else? 

A second man, Robin Workman, from Shore Road in Larne, Co Antrim, faces the same charges.

Police claim Workman, a 51-year-old joiner, transported the guns in his van to a meeting with his co-accused in the Glencairn area.

Following an alleged interaction between the two men, Irvine’s car was stopped a short time later at Disraeli Street.

READ MORE: 

Is Winkie a police informant? 

Officers discovered two suspected pistols, an air gun, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition inside a leather Calvin Klein holdall in the boot of the vehicle, according to the prosecution.

Irvine denied knowing anything about the contents of the bag.

Despite initial claims that he may be connected to a mixed DNA profile on a handle of the holdall, further testing ruled him out as a possible contributor.

  We had the East UVF show-of-strength      at Pitt Park and not one single person       (all masked) were charged by the PSNI                 for belonging to a proscribed            paramilitary organisation. Mr Bryson            keeps bringing up about two-teir             policing within the PUL community. I           think the PSNI needs to take a good           look at itself and stop turning a blind           eye to UVF and UDA Paramilitary                                    activity. 

At Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday, the Crown was granted an eight-week adjournment after setting out details of the continuing investigative work in both defendants’ cases.

Listing a further hearing on November 18, District Judge Amanda Brady suggested a determination on prosecuting the pair could be reached by then.

           PSNI/RUC: One rule for UVF                paramilitaries - another for everyone                                   else 

“There may be a decision (at that stage),” she said.

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Alan Erwin for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: UVF warning ‘winter of discontent ' if UK PM liz Truss fails to deliver on the NI Protocol

BBC giving air-time to the so-called UVF Regimental Band is a international disgrace the band honours members of the modern day UVF and glorifies loyalist terrorism.

REVEALED | Top loyalist UVF Commander Winston 'Winkie' Irvine facing trial pictured at UVF paramilitary funeral

Loyalist Winkie Irvine waiting on DNA reports as he faces charges connected to weapons haul