Winston Irvine jailed for firearm offences

BBC News

20-05-2025

The high-profile loyalist Winston Irvine who previously admitted a range of firearm and ammunition offences has been given a 30-month sentence.The 49-year-old of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast will spend half of that in custody and half on licence.At Belfast Crown Court, his co-accused Robin Workman, 54, of Shore Road, Larne was also sentenced to five years; half to be served on licence.Both men previously pleaded guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
They also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate.Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing an air rifle without a certificate.All the offences were committed on 8 June 2022.A previous court hearing was told that police said Workman transported a quantity of weapons and ammunition to the Glencairn area of Belfast in his van which police believed were then put into the boot of Irvine's Tiguan car.A short time later Irvine's vehicle was stopped by police in Disraeli Street.A long-barrelled firearm, two suspected pistols, several magazines and a large quantity of ammunition were discovered inside a holdall in the boot.Irvine made no comment during police interviews.He provided a prepared statement claiming: "I have developed a reputation as a trusted interlocutor engaging with the community on key outstanding issues in relation to the NI peace and political process."
No connection to terrorism, court told
During sentencing Judge Gordon Kerr KC said Mr Irvine pleaded guilty to possessing the weapons in suspicious circumstances but declined to give any explanation to police or the court.However, he said he did not consider it to be connected to terrorism."The prosecution accepts there is no such evidence."The judge said he did not consider it proper to impose the statutory minimum sentence for five years and that "the sentence should reflect the defendant's circumstances"."I'm obliged to consider if the defendant is dangerous. There are no examples on his record" he said.The judge said he considered previous references which described Irvine's "character and long-term commitment to peace building in Northern Ireland".References had been provided by former policing board member Deborah Watters and Loyalist Communities Council Chair David Campbell at earlier court hearings.The court was told Mr Irvine had worked with the highest levels of government and that he had "devoted most of his adult life to peace".Judge Kerr KC said he also considered that the weapons had been described by the defence as "low grade" that were not to be used in terrorist capacity.In sentencing Robin Workman, the judge said he had no doubt the defendant is highly thought of by those who had given references and there was no history of offending or causing serious harm.But he added "there is no evidence of any exceptional circumstances" and that the statutory minimum sentence must be imposed."I consider there is no basis on which parity with Irvine must be appropriate," he said. Both men were led from the dock in handcuffs into custody.