'SECRET DEAL' | UVF leaders facing mutiny as veterans demand answers over Winston 'Winkie' Irvine

UVF leaders facing mutiny as veterans demand answers over Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine arrest

Terror veterans want answers as Winkie’s link to top cop is revealed 

                 Winston 'Winkie' Irvine 

UVF leaders are under fire amid fears of a secret decommissioning deal with the government.

Veteran members are calling on the leadership to come clean about events surrounding the arrest of top loyalist and alleged UVF chief Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine, demanding answers and calling for an internal inquiry over the alleged movement of weapons.

The calls come off the back of explosive details revealed during a bail application for Irvine this week.

Irvine, who in the past has been named as a member of the terror group and the commander of UVF B Company on the Woodvale area of Belfast – claims he has denied – is facing a raft of charges after police recovered a cache of weapons from his car last month.

A High Court judge granted Irvine bail with few restrictions.

But it is the assertions made during his bail application that has alarmed the membership.

There had been growing disquiet from the moment his car was intercepted by the PSNI who had allegedly observed him taking delivery of a holdall which contained a number of weapons and several hundred rounds of ammunition.

This week the court heard Irvine had been in regular contact with PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.

ACC Singleton had previously denied a claim he had been talks with Irvine the day before the weapons seizure but it was conceded this week the pair have been in contact in relation to other matters.

Irvine was described in court as a “peacemaker’’ and it was suggested the weaponry was being transported as part of a prior agreement.

UVF veterans on the Shankill are now demanding an inquiry into Winkie’s engagement with the PSNI after it was revealed in court he was in regular contact with ACC Bobby Singleton 

They are saying that either Winkie is claiming he was decommissioning when he wasn’t, which they believe is “throwing the whole organisation under the bus to save his own skin,’’ or else he was taking weapons for decommissioning with the knowledge of the Brigade staff.

“There are questions to be answered, is the leadership involved in acts of decommissioning?” one veteran told us this week.

“If they are, command staff are in the dark, there has been no discussion about actively engaging in acts of decommissioning.”

He said that “never in all the years of the Troubles did a UVF man stand up in court and claim he was working with the police and think that was a good thing”.

“How could anyone in the organisation trust anyone who has publicly stated he is working with the police?

“We want answers as to what is going on the top of the organisation and whether Brigade staff authorised Winkie to run the defence he has.”

During the course of Irvine’s bail hearing his counsel Joe Brolly referred to a “significant publication’’ that had been delayed because of his client’s arrest, but which, when published would have significant consequences for the wider community.

“What is that publication?” said our source. “Members are demanding answers as to what the ‘significant publication’ is that was referred to in court and want answers from Brigade staff as to whether the UVF is secretly engaged with government in acts of decommissioning that the command staff hadn’t been told about.”

There is also concern surrounding a “sensitive issue’’ that was talked about in private between judge and barristers.

“Men are being kept in the dark and this is arousing suspicion.”

UVF Chief of Staff John ‘Bunter’ Graham is now facing demands for a new leader of B Company to be put in place while an internal inquiry takes place and the Sunday World understands they have nominated a paramilitary veteran who was active during the Conflict as far back as the ’70s.

In the past, a former B Company commander was stood down amid allegations of weapons going missing.

“So why, this time, isn’t the Brigade Staff putting in place a inquiry into the seizure of these weapons?

“Every time a prisoner on UVF wings in jail they had to hand their depositions over to the jail commander to be checked, so people are questioning why Irvine is able to get away with the defence he has adopted without any scrutiny from the top of the organisation.”

Irvine was granted bail on Wednesday after a judge was told his DNA was not present on a holdall containing guns in his car.

References were also provided for the Shankill loyalist – who was arrested on June 8 with a number of weapons and ammunition in his car – by senior figures, the court was told, including a Northern Ireland minister.

NIO minister Conor Burns has moved to clarify that a letter sent to Irvine related to separate matters and that similar communiques were sent to other community activists.

Forty-seven-year-old Irvine of Ballysillan Road in Belfast, 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.

A second man, Robin Workman (51), from Shore Road in Larne, is in custody on the same charges.

Police claim Workman, who works as a joiner, transported the haul of guns to a meeting with his co-accused in the Glencairn area.

In a previous court hearing it was stated DNA samples were found on the handles of the holdall but this week it was revealed Irvine is not forensically linked to the bag.

A former Policing Board chair also provided a character reference, as a did a number of other people who were not named.

It was previously alleged in court that a PSNI chief held discussions with the leading loyalist about decommissioning weapons.

Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton later confirmed no telephone conversation took place between himself and Mr Irvine on the day before a bag containing guns and ammunition was found in the boot of Mr Irvine’s car.

During the hearing it was said that the Assistant Chief Constable had confirmed regular contact between the pair, but not in relation to the matters before the court.

When asked if internet access should be a condition of bail, the defence indicated a statement was about to be released of significant importance.

My Brolly said: “It is important that he does. My Lord will be aware of very sensitive material. My Lord is also aware that a witness has attended today who had asked to give evidence anonymously to the court.

“There is going to be a publication once Mr Irvine is released – that was delayed – which might have fundamental importance in our society as a whole and it will be important that he has internet access,” he added.

Loyalist sources say speculation is “rife’’ as to the identity of the anonymous character witness who attended but not called.

Mr Justice O’Hara said: “I am going to grant bail to Mr Irvine. Whatever the police concerns about him, he is a man who is now 47, he has a very limited criminal record and, whatever the risk, I think they can be managed.”

He was released on £750 bail.

With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Richard Sullivan for the EXCLUSIVE original story. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: UVF terror chiefs order arms dumps opened in preparation for Boris Protocol failure

Concerns over 'Winkie' links to peace cash project

First official photo of man accused of delivering weaponry to UVF chief Winston 'Winkie' Irvine

UVF BOSSES UNDER FIRE IN 'SECRET DEAL' ROW

UVF BOSSES UNDER FIRE IN 'SECRET DEAL' ROW

UVF leaders are under fire amid fears of a secret decommissioning deal with the government.

      UVF BOSS: Winston 'Winkie' Irvine            questions on 'decommissioning' after                  weapons raid on Irvine's car. 

Veteran members are calling on the leadership to come clean about events surrounding the arrest of a top loyalist and alleged UVF chief Winston 'Winkie' Irvine, demanding answers and calling for an internal injury over the alleged movement of weapons. The calls come off the back of explosive details revealed during a bail application for Irvine this week.

Irvine, who in the past has been named as a member of the terror group and the commander of the UVF's B Company on the Woodvale area of Belfast - claims he has denied - is facing a raft of charges after police recovered a cache of weapons from his car last month.

                    ASSERTIONS 

This week a High Court judge granted Irvine bail with very few restrictions.

But it is the assertions made during his bail application that has alarmed the membership.

There had been growing disquiet from the moment his car was intercepted by the PSNI/RUC who had allegedly observed him taking delivery of a holdall which contained a number of weapons and several hundred rounds of ammunition.

This week the court heard Irvine had been in regular contact with PSNI/RUC Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.

ACC Singleton had previously denied a claim he had been in talks with Irvine the day before the weapons seizure but it was conceded this week the pair have been in contact in relation to other matters. Irvine was described in court as a "peace-maker" and it was suggested the weaponry was being transported as part of a prior agreement.

      ABOVE: Winston Irvine (unmasked),           below Irvine's car being removed by                           forensic officers 

UVF veterans on the Shankill Road are now demanding an inquiry into Winkie's engagement with the PSNI/RUC after it was revealed in court he was in regular contact with ACC Singleton.

They are saying that either Winkie is claiming he was decommissioning when he wasn't, which they believe is "throwing the whole organisation under the bus to save his own skin" or else he was taking weapons for decommissioning with the knowledge of the Brigade staff.

"There are questions to be answered, is the leadership involved in acts of decommissioning?" one veteran told us this week.

"If they are, command staff are in the dark, there has been no discussion about actively engaging in acts of decommissioning."

He said that "never in all the years of the Troubles did a UVF man stand up in court and claim he was working with the police and think that was a good thing."

"How could anyone in the organisation trust anyone who has publicly stated he is working with the police?

"We want answers as to what is going on at the top of the organisation and whether Brigade staff authorised Winkie to run the defence he has."

During the course of Irvine’s bail hearing his counsel Joe Brolly referred to a "significant publication" that had been delayed because of his client's arrest, but which, when published would have significant consequences for the wider community.

"What is that publication?" said our source. "Members are demanding answers as to what 'significant publication' is that was reffered to in court and want answers from Brigade staff as to whether the UVF is secretly engaged with government in acts of decommissioning that the command staff hadn't been told about."

        UVF Chief of Staff John 'Bunter'               Graham has been asked to replace          Irvine with a new company commander       of B Company while an internal injury                            takes place. 

There is also concern surrounding a "sensitive issue" that was talked about in the private chambers' between judge and barristers. "Men are being kept in the dark and this is arousing suspicion."

UVF Chief of Staff John 'Bunter' Graham is now facing demands for a new leader of B Company to be put in place while an internal injury takes place and the Sunday World understands they have nominated a paramilitary veteran who was active during the conflict as far back as the '70s.

In the past, a former B Company commander was stood down amid allegations of weapons going missing. 

"So why, this time, isn't the Brigade Staff putting in place an inquiry into the seizure of these weapons?

                       PRISONER

"Every time a prisoner goes onto the UVF wings in jail they have to hand over their deposition papers to the wing commander to be checked, so people are asking questions why Irvine is able to get away with the defence he has adopted without any scrutiny from the top the organisation."

Irvine was granted bail on Wednesday after a judge was told his DNA was not present on a holdall containing guns in his car.

References were also provided for the Shankill loyalist - who was arrested on June 8th with a number of weapons and ammunition in his car - by senior figures, the court was told, including a *orthern Ireland minister. 

NIO minister Conor Burns has moved to clarify that a letter sent to Irvine related to separate matters and that similar communiques were sent to other community activists. 

Forty-seven-year-old Irvine of Ballysillan Road in Belfast, 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.

   UVF suspect Robin Workman (dressed           in full UVF paramilitary uniform),               Irvine's co-accused was recently                 also released on bail on firearms                      and ammunition charges. 

A second man, Robin Workman (51), from the Shore Road in Larne, is in custody on the same charges. 

Police claim Workman, who works as a joiner, transported the haul of guns to a meeting with his co-accused in the Glencairn area. In a previous court hearing it was stated DNA samples were found on the handles of the holdall but this week it was revealed Irvine is not forensically linked to the bag. A former Policing Board chair also provided a character reference, as did a number of other people who were not disclosed or named at the bail hearing. 

It was previously alleged in court that the ACC PSNI/RUC chief held discussions with the UVF boss about decommissioning weapons. 

Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton later confirmed no telephone conversation took place between himself and Mr Irvine on the day before a bag containing guns and ammunition was found in the boot of Mr Irvine's car. 

During the hearing it was said that the Assistant Chief Constable had confirmed regular contact between the pair, but not in relation to the matters before the court. 

    BARRISTER: Mr Joe Brolly, counsel for                               Mr Irvine 

When asked if Internet access should be a condition of bail, the defence indicated a statement was about to be released of significant importance. 

Mr Brolly said: "It is important that he does. My Lord will be aware of very sensitive material. My Lord is also aware that a witness has attended today who had asked to give evidence anonymously to the court. "There is going to be a publication once Mr Irvine is released - that was delayed - which might have fundamental importance in our society as a whole and it will be important that he has internet access," he added. 

Loyalist sources say speculation is "rife" as to the identity of the anonymous character witness who attended but not called. Mr Justice O'Hara said: "I am going to grant bail to Mr Irvine. Whatever the police concerns about him, he is a man who is now 47, he has a very limited criminal record and, whatever the risk, I think they can be managed." He was released on £750 bail. 

With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Richard Sullivan for the EXCLUSIVE original story.

Follow these links to find out more on this story: 'SECRET DEAL' | UVF leaders facing mutiny as veterans demand answers over Winston 'Winkie' Irvine

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

UVF Boss Winston 'Winkie' Irvine to be released on bail, judge rules.

Second suspected UVF member Robin Workman released on bail on firearms and ammunition charges

First official photo of man accused of delivering weaponry to UVF chief Winston 'Winkie' Irvine

UVF Boss Winston 'Winkie' Irvine to be released on bail, judge rules.

“There is going to be a publication once Mr Irvine is released - that was delayed - which might have fundamental importance in our society as a whole.”

     UVF Boss Winston Irvine unmasked 

.                    6th July, 2022. 

Leading loyalist Winston Irvine is to be released from custody on charges of having a bag of guns and ammunition, a High Court judge ruled today.

Mr Justice O’Hara granted bail to the 47-year-old after being told he is not forensically linked to the holdall recovered from the boot of his car.

Irvine was arrested after police seized the weapons in Belfast last month.

The accused, of Ballysillan Road in the city, faces charges 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.

     UVF activist Robin Workman (circled              in red) in paramilitary uniform. 

A second man, Robin Workman (Pictured above) from Shore Road in Larne, Co Antrim, is currently in custody on similar counts.

Police claim Workman, a 51-year-old joiner, transported the haul of guns in his van to a meeting with his co-accused in the Glencairn area on June 8.

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

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.

It was initially claimed that he may be connected to a mixed DNA profile on a handle of the holdall.

But in court today prosecution counsel disclosed: “More detailed testing has excluded him as a possible contributor.

“There are no DNA findings in respect of Mr Irvine, however the bag was found in his boot.”

Opposing bail, she set out how police found £3,000 in cash, a black balaclava and alleged paramilitary memorabilia in his house.

“There were UVF framed photographs, one of which was recovered from Mr Irvine’s office sitting beside family photographs,” the barrister said.

Along with 13 badges, police also located a handmade and previously unseen gold chain with a ‘B Company’ inscription.

Some pins and badges included references to murdered UVF commander Trevor King and Brian Robinson, a member of the paramilitary group shot dead by British soldiers.

Another marked the 100 th anniversary of the West Belfast UVF, the court was told.

With Irvine previously described by his lawyer as a “renowned peace builder”, police disputed suggestions that he held discussions with Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton about decommissioning weapons on the day before the seizure.

In court today the prosecution was asked if it contested assertions that he is in regular contact with the PSNI on a range of issues.

Counsel replied: “There is a statement from ACCC Singleton which does touch upon that there is contact between the two.

“Certainly not in relation to these offences whatsoever, but there is contact between the two in relation to other avenues. That is accepted.”

During the hearing Mr Justice O’Hara cited an acknowledgement from a former chair of Northern Ireland’s Policing Board about the contribution made by Irvine.

He also noted a December 2021 message from Northern Ireland Office Minister Conor Burns which indicated a “willingness to continue entering dialogue with Mr Irvine about various issues”.

With defence barrister Joe Brolly confirming the loyalist will allow police access to his phone, the judge decided to grant bail.

“Whatever the risks that the police are concerned about, I think that can be managed by conditions,” he said.

Irvine must put up a £10,000 cash surety, report to police three times a week and is limited to having one mobile phone, the judge ordered.

He is to be allowed internet access after counsel argued that it was required for a “sensitive” process he is involved in.

“A witness attended today who had asked to give evidence anonymously to the court,” Mr Brolly added.

“There is going to be a publication once Mr Irvine is released - that was delayed - which might have fundamental importance in our society as a whole.”

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

Follow these links to find out more on this story: UVF terror chief Winston 'Winkie' Irvine granted bail on firearms charges.

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

UVF terror chief Winston Irvine - Court told another month until DNA profiles obtained

Winston 'Winkie' Irvine to be released on bail, judge rules.

UVF terror chief Winston Irvine - Court told another month until DNA profiles obtained

"There have been provisional forensic findings already disclosed, so hopefully we should be in a position to move forward on the next occasion"

       Winston 'Winkie' Irvine has been                 remanded in custody until later                                    this month. 
                      1 July, 2022 

Forensic tests have yet to be completed on guns and ammunition allegedly discovered in the boot of leading loyalist Winston Irvine’s car, a court heard today.

Prosecutors indicated that it could take at least another month to obtain a final report on any DNA profiles linked to the haul.

Irvine remains in custody on charges connected to the weapons seizure made in Belfast last month.

The 47-year-old, of Ballysillan Road in the city, 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.

A second man, Robin Workman, 51, from Shore Road in Larne, Co Antrim, is also currently in custody on the same charges.

Police claim Workman, a 51-year-old joiner, transported the haul of guns in his van to a meeting with his co-accused in the Glencairn area on June 8.

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

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.

Mixed DNA profiles were said to have been located on the bag’s handle.

Irvine, described by his lawyer at a previous hearing as a “renowned peace builder”, denied knowing anything about the contents of the bag.

Prosecution counsel previously told the court that police have disputed suggestions that he held discussions with Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton about decommissioning weapons on the day before the seizure.

Irvine was not required to attend in person at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for today’s update on the case.

During the brief hearing a Crown lawyer said: “Forensics have been requested, (but) there is no timetable yet for the return of the forensic reports.

“Hopefully we will be better able to advise the court in four weeks as to when they are going to be returned.”

Defence solicitor Darragh Mackin replied: “There have been provisional forensic findings already disclosed, so hopefully we should be in a position to move forward on the next occasion.”

District Judge George Conner granted a four-week adjournment in the proceedings against Irvine and Workman.

He added: “I hope for progress in all cases.”

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

Follow these links to find out more on this story: PSNI/RUC Assistant Chief Constable and Winston Irvine did not talk about decommissioning weapons before arms find, court told.

UVF terror chiefs order arms dumps opened in preparation for Boris Protocol failure

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

Winston Irvine charges court told another month until DNA profiles obtained

Concerns over 'Winkie' links to peace cash project

        Loyalist's involvement in £5.1m                       scheme under spotlight

CONCERNS have been raised about the involvement of UVF terrorist Winston 'Winkie' Irvine in a multi-million pound project founded through European peace money with the support of the Irish government.

      SITE: The Old Mackies site in west               Belfast. Inset, UVF boss Winston                                'Winkie' Irvine 

Mr Irvine was one of two men arrested earlier this month by police investigating a hoax bomb alert targeting the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in north Belfast in March. He later appeared in court charged with several offences including procession of firearms and over 2000 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

Concerns have now been raised over his involvement with the proposed £5.1 million Forth Meadow Community Greenway - which has been part-founded through the EU's Peace IV Programme and is manged by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) in Dublin and the Executive Office at Stormont have also provided support for the Peace IV element of the project.

     DRCD minister Heather Humphreys

DRCD minister Heather Humphreys is a Fine Gael colleague of Mr Coveney. The planned project is designed to connect parks and open spaces along a 12km route in north and west Belfast and takes in the old Mackies site in west Belfast. Last month the High Court quashed a decision to grant planning permission for the scheme. 

.            PPR director Chloe Trew 

Earlier this week Chloe Trew, director of Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR), who spoke on behalf of Take Back the City Coalition, wrote to the interested parties, including representatives and officials at Belfast City Council, highlighting Mr Irvine's involvement in organisations that support the controversial project including Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association, of which he remains a director. 

       Take Back The City hoping to see               better use of the land at Mackies                    to build sustainable homes. 

His role at Intercomm Ireland, where he is employed, has also been highlighted. Ms Trew said on Wednesday: "We have raised serious concerns about the process and how council is using EU and Irish government peace funding for a project which both ignores the rights of thousands of families in housing need, and embeds sectarian division and territorial claims for generations to come." 

        The Belfast City Council Planning                  Committee members who are                      overseeing the controversial -                    Fourth Meadow Community                                 Greenway project 

The SEUPB last night said its chief executive had received a letter from PPR, on behalf of the Take Back the City Coalition, and "has noted its contents". A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "As there is an ongoing PSNI/RUC investigation in relation to the individual concerned it would be inappropriate for the council to comment in this regard. "Any objections or correspondence received in relation to this application will be considered as part of the planning process." 

     Participation and Practice of Rights 

Earlier this week the Take Back the City Coalition highlighted Mr Irvine's involvement in organisations that support the controversial project. 

In a letter to interested parties Chloe Trew, director of Participation and Practice of Rights, raised various concerns about the project, which is due before the planning committee again next week. The coalition, which wants to see some social housing built on the site, has voiced concern that the application for the greenaway has been "rushed". 

            Take Back the City Coalition 

Focusing on other potential issues, the pressure group claimed that the current plans "are at risk of creating a 21st century 'green-washed' interface - embedding and reinforcing sectarian division in Belfast and territorial claims for generations to come". They also claim the current plans will "in effect declare Mackie's a 'no-go zone'" for homes. Significantly, links between Mr Irvine and the project have also been highlighted. 

      UVF BOSS: Winston 'Winkie' Irvine           announces his resignation as a trustee        of Twaddell and Woodvale Residents                             Association 

Mr Irvine is listed as a director of Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association, which according to Belfast City Council's own report was asked for "further additional consultation" in relation to the project. The link between Mr Irvine and his employer Intercomm Ireland, which is involved in peace building, is also highlighted. A spokeswoman for Sustrans, which encourages people to walk and cycle, last night said Belfast City Council asked it to deliver a volunteer project on the Forth Meadow Greenway and that it "teamed up with Intercomm Ireland", which carried out mediation training. The spokeswoman added that Mr Irvine was "part of a three-person team we engaged with for the first couple of months". 

       THE DETAIL: Masterplan for West              Belfast land - Follow the link below 

In a report due to be presented at next week's planning committee meeting it is claimed that funding linked to the project is "timebound" and must be spent by December. It was claimed over £2m has been spent to date and with a warning "non-complaince risks clawback".The report warned that "any delay in terms of the timeline risks the founding for the project and the risk of financial and reputational implications for the council". 

"Mrs Trew last Wednesday said: "A sensible solution is on the table, developed by homeless families in partnership with local and international experts, which can deliver a Greenway," founding for communities and homes. We urge elected representatives to reject this application and embrace the alternative." 

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

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Winston 'Winkie' Irvine exposed as UVF Commander

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

Take Back the City Coalition

The Detail: Masterplan for West Belfast land

Participation and Practice of Rights

UVF terror chiefs order arms dumps opened in preparation for Boris Protocol failure

DOOMSDAY SCENARIO UVF terror chiefs order arms dumps opened in preparation for Boris Protocol failure

      UVF units have been put on a war           footing as terror chiefs await outcome                      of new Protocol bill

                    June 23rd, 2022. 

Sources indicated that guns and ammunition have already been removed from dumps and placed with UVF units across the North of Ireland. 

UVF leaders have authorised arms dumps to be broken open as they prepare for a Protocol doomsday.

Units across the country have been placed on standby as they await the verdict on controversial legislation due to go through parliament which, if passed, will effectively rip up parts of the EU Withdrawal Treaty.

The Sunday World understands terror chiefs are prepared to put the organisation on a “war footing”.’

Well-placed sources have indicated that guns and ammunition have already been removed from dumps and placed with UVF units across Northern Ireland.

It had been thought the leadership had rowed back from continuing with a campaign of violence against the Protocol after community groups in loyalist areas were warned state funding would be put at risk.

The Irish government has already initiated a full-scale audit of all grant aid issued by Dublin since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

     Seized loyalist weapons - but many                         others got through. 

The British indicated there are no plans for them to follow a similar path but loyalist leaders have been left in no doubt that civic disruption will have consequences for their community.

And at time when communities are struggling with the cost of living crisis and with many families reliant on foodbanks, they risk alienating their own people.

But the Sunday World understands the leadership feels it has little choice, having taken the position that the Protocol must go.

There is a strong likelihood the controversial legislation put before parliament at the start of the week will not garner enough support to pass into law.

The bill sets out green and red channels for good flowing between the North and GB, with the government stating it also protects the EU open market.

But it has drawn stinging criticism from all but the unionist parties at Stormont as well as the Labour Party in Westminster, all of whom have accused Boris Johnson’s administration of flagrantly breaking international law.

The UK’s international isolation was further underlined with condemnation from the US and with the EU issuing legal action.

It is against this backdrop that the UVF leadership is preparing for armed action.

“They feel they have no choice,” said our source, “and, as we all know, they have access to guns. There might have been decommissioning back in the day but not everything was handed over and they have been re-arming for years.”

There has even been speculation that weaponry from a huge arms consignment smuggled into the country from South Africa in 1988 could be broken out.

The cache, which was split between the UVF, UDA and Ulster Resistance, was partially intercepted but it is estimated a third of the consignment got through and was concealed in sealed dumps.

Largely in the hands of the shadowy Ulster Resistance, the guns and ammunition are being preserved for a “doomsday scenario”.

“That could be closer than we think,” said our source, “if the Brexit Sea border is not removed the North of Ireland is effectively cut off from the rest of the UK – if that’s not a doomsday scenario for loyalists, I don’t know what is.”

The DUP has stated there is no prospect of a return to Stormont while the Protocol remains in place, but with the prospect of legal action from the EU and no guarantees of enough support in the House of Commons and even less so in the House of Lords, the best they can hope for is negotiated change.

But the UVF and the loyalist paramilitary umbrella group the Loyalist Communities Council stating that nothing but its abolition will do, observers believe a return to some form of violent campaign is inevitable.

       UVF ACTIVISTS: Robin Workman,                 (circled in red), (above, below)                Winston 'Winkie Irvine, unmasked 

Police fear escalation of loyalist violence in wake of Winkie Irvine arrest

UK unveils legislation to override parts of NI Protocol which could wash away Brexit Sea border

The rise in tensions come at the end of a week in which two prominent loyalists appeared in court on charges relating to the seizure of an arms cache in Belfast earlier this month.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard that police believe a man accused of firearms offences transported a haul of weapons to a meeting with high-profile loyalist Winston Irvine.

Robin Workman (51), from the Shore Road in Larne, was denied bail. Workman, along with Irvine, 46, from Ballysillan Road in Belfast, were arrested the previous week as police were investigating a security alert that led to Irish government minister Simon Coveney being evacuated from a peace event. Irvine appeared in court charged with firearm offences last Saturday.

Workman was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

A PSNI detective inspector told the court that he could connect Workman to the charges.

During the hearing, a defence lawyer asked the officer if it was accurate that during Irvine’s weekend court appearance, his counsel had suggested he was acting as “some form of decommissioning interlocutor”.

The officer said that had been implied by Irvine’s lawyer.

Irvine was arrested in Disraeli Street after police officers observed meeting the driver of a red VW van, and officers discovered a number of firearms, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in a holdall in the boot of hi scar.

Workman was arrested in Ballymena later the same day.

“The police case is this has the hallmarks of a paramilitary operation,” a police officer told the court.

“The quantity of what is found includes a large range of different calibre ammunition.

“Our concern would be that we have recovered a wide range of ammunition with weapons that they are not compatible with so believe there are other weapons available that this ammunition would marry up with.

“Our case is that the applicant transported them to the meeting with his co-accused to be handed over.

“He therefore has knowledge of the storage locations of other weapons where this arms cache was recovered from.”

A defence lawyer said Workman had denied during three days of police interview that he was the individual who’d met Irvine in Belfast.

He added: “This case should be distinguished entirely from his co-accused.

“His co-accused is somewhat of a high-profile individual. He made the case that he will be calling a galaxy of witnesses to attest to his efficacy and his works in the peace process.

“This man is not like that, is a self-employed joiner with no criminal record whatsoever.”

The district judge denied bail.

Both men have been remanded in custody to appear again on July 1.

With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Richard Sullivan for the EXCLUSIVE original story. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: PSNI/RUC Assistant Chief Constable and Winston Irvine did not talk about decommissioning weapons before arms find, court told.

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

UVF Call To Arms Over Protocol Doomsday Scenario UVF Call To Arms Over Protocol Doomsday Scenario

Prominent loyalist UVF boss listed as a director of several companies

Grandson of UVF murder victim urges housing body remove Irvine as trustee

      SPEAKING OUT: UVF (right) boss              Winston Irvine, SDLP councillor Carl           Whyte whose grandmother Peggy              Whyte was murdered by the UVF                                      in 1984.

The grandson of a UVF murder victim has called for prominent loyalist Winston 'Winkie' Irvine to be removed as a trustee of a west Belfast housing association. Belfast-based SDLP councillor Carl Whyte spoke out after it emerged that Mr Irvine is listed as a trustee of Woodville and Shankill Community Housing Association (WSCHA).

.    UNMASKED: Winston 'Winkie' Irvine 

It is one of 20 registered housing associations, which manage existing stock and in some cases provide new social housing, across the north. Mr Irvine was one of two men arrested last Wednesday by police investigating a hoax bomb alert targeting Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in north Belfast in March.

He appeared in court at the weekend charged with several offences including possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. Another man, 51-year-old Robin Workman, appeared in court on Monday in connection with the same incident. Workman, of Shore Road in Larne, was remanded into custody also on firearms charges.

   Peggy Whyte, who was murdered in a                 UVF bomb blast in 1984. 

Mr Whyte's grandmother Peggy Whyte (52) was murdered alongside RUC officer Michael Dawson (22) in a UVF bomb blast outside her home on Belfast's University Street in April 1984. Mr Whyte on Tuesday night said: "Any individual facing serious firearms and ammunition charges should not hold positions of responsibility such as these, particularly when it comes to important public services like the provision of social housing," he said. 

"Mr Irvine should immediately step aside from the director and trustee positions he holds pending the outcome of the case."

Mr Whyte added that if Mr Irvine is unwilling to voluntarily step aside the housing association regulator, the Housing Regulation Branch based at the Department for Communities,"should take appropriate action to remove him from the positions of responsibility he continues to hold".

   LCC: Loyalist Communities Council, Mr           Irvine (right), made up of loyalist          paramilitaries UDA, UVF and Red Hand                          Commando. 

A well-known public figure, Mr Irvine is a member of the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) and a former communications officer with the PUP. He is a former member of North Belfast Community Safety Partnership and sits on several other bodies. Companies House records show that Mr Irvine is listed as a director in several firms, including Duncairn Community Partnership Ltd. 

He is also registered as a director of Twaddell and Woodvale Residents' Association, which has an address (where he lives) at Twaddell Avenue. Other appointments include a director's role at NI Research and Consultancy Ltd, located in Portadown. Mr Irvine is also included as a director at WGS Property Enterprises, which lists the nature of its business as "other building compilation and finishing" and WGS New Developments Ltd, which is involved in "construction of domestic buildings". 

A spokesman for the Department for Communities said: "The department is aware of this issue and is currently looking into the matter."

Attempts were made to contact WSCHA.

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

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Loyalist's employer silent over his future

UVF Boss Winston 'Winkie' Irvine appears in court on firearms and ammunition charges

UVF activist Winston Irvine due in court on firearms charges