Winston Irvine, 46, of Ballysillan in North Belfast, was arrested Wednesday as police investigated a security alert that led to the evacuation of Irish Government Minister Simon Coveney from a peace event. Irvine has been charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition under suspicious circumstances, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm without a certificate and possession of ammunition without a certificate. Read more: Couple holding a female slave in East Belfast to be convicted He appeared on video in Belfast Court on Saturday wearing a red T-shirt. Asked if he understood the allegations, Irvine said: “Yes, I do.” A PSNI detective inspector told the court he could link Irvin to the charges. The officer told the court that officers had planned an operation to arrest Irwin on Wednesday in connection with “an irrelevant matter”. He said police spotted Irvine’s car on Glencairn Street when a van parked behind it and Irvine was seen opening the trunk of his vehicle. Inspector Detective said Irvine then stopped on Disraeli Street and police found a number of firearms, ammunition and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in a boot case. The officer told the court that Irvine said he did not know what was in the bag. A search of Irvine’s home uncovered a quantity of cash as well as a UVF plate and pendant, according to the court. The inspector-detective objected to a request for bail. He said: “The case of the police would be that it has the characteristics of a paramilitary operation, given the amount of ammunition and the range of weapons and ammunition found, that this is typical of the kind of paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland I have access to. “People who would have access to such large sums would only be trusted members of the organization.” Defense attorney Joe Brolley told the court that Irwin should be granted bail. He said: “The surety is a well-known peacebuilder in this community. “A simple internet search will show that for the last 15 years it has been intensively involved in the peace process, reconciliation and peace programs. “He has worked beyond the gap for the last 20 years, that is not in question. “He does not only work with former faithful prisoners, but he also works intensively with former Republican prisoners and continues to do so. “He has spent his life in public advocating for peace in difficult situations. “There are tensions, especially in the community of believers, and his role throughout is to keep the lid on it.” District Attorney George Conner rejected the bail application, saying “a significant amount of weapons and ammunition had been recovered.” Irvine was remanded in custody to appear in court again on July 1. A 51-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in Balymena as part of the same investigation remains in custody. The two arrests were part of a PSNI investigation into a security alert on March 25, when a peace event organized by the John and Pat Hume Foundation was disrupted. The Houben Center on Crumlin Street was evacuated while Mr. Coveney was giving a speech and the funeral at the nearby Church of the Holy Cross was adjourned. Police said the driver of a van was threatened by two gunmen and forced to drive a device he believed was a live bomb into the church. The object in the truck turned out to be a prank bomb. Read more: PSNI attends sudden death scene in Belfast city center Read more: The Ballymena incident sees a man suffering from a puncture in the face and head To receive the latest news directly in your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletter.
