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

SECOND UVF suspect arrested along with Winston Irvine and charged with transporting the bag of guns and ammunition to a meeting in Belfast with UVF boss Winston Irvine has been granted bail. 

    UVF: Workman (circled in red) in full                          paramilitary garb

Robin Workman, 51, from Shore Road in Larne, was caught red-handed handing over the bag of weapons over to Mr Irvine. 

He is charged with possession of firearms in suspicious circumstances and possessing a prohibited firearm. 

Mr Workman is further charged with possession of a handgun and possession of ammunition without a certificate. 

A judge earlier this week also granted bail to his co-accused, Winston Irvine. 

Ruling that Mr Walkman can be released from custody, Mr Justice O'Hara said: "Police concerns are not unreasonable, nor are they exaggerated, but he is entitled to the presumption of innocence". 

Previous courts heard the police were in the Glencairn area of Belfast on June 8th planning to arrest Mr Irvine for an "unrelated matter" when Mr Workman was seen to pull up in a van, get out and interact with Mr Irvine. 

Officers stopped Mr Irvine's cara short time later at Disraeli Street in the city. 

The High Court in Belfast heard they opened the vehicle's boot and discovered two suspected pistols, an air gun, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition inside the holdall. 

Mr Irvine denies knowing anything about the contents of the bag. 

Mr Workman was arrested the same day following a hospital appointment in Ballymena, Co Antrim. 

Based on CCTV and forensic evidence, detectives believe he was the driver of the van involved in the exchange. 

The police opposed Mr Workman's release from custody, claiming the incident had all the "hallmarks of a paramilitary operation". 

Defence counsel stressed that he denied being the driver of the van. 

Based Mr Workman's "virtually non-existent" criminal record, Mr Justice O'Hara decided to grant bail. 

Mr Workman was ordered to report to police three times a week. 

The judge said: "He is to have no contact directly or indirectly, with Mr Irvine. 

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

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