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.

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