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ITV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Correct offences prosecuted in Winston Irvine case, Northern Ireland prosecutors insists
The correct offences were prosecuted in the case of a leading loyalist who was jailed for firearms offences, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has Irvine was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with half to be served in jail, at Belfast Crown Court last month following an incident where firearms and ammunition were found in the boot of his avoided a statutory five-year sentence on several of the charges he faced after Judge Gordon Kerr KC ruled that there were 'exceptional circumstances' in his case, namely Irvine's 'work for peace and his charity work in the community'.The PPS has previously said it is considering whether there is any legal basis to appeal the the length of Irvine's sentence and the fact that he and his co-accused Robin Workman were not prosecuted for terrorism offences have attracted criticism from some a statement, the PPS said it understood the public interest relating to the sentences but said some of the 'recent commentary on and coverage of this case has contained a number of factual inaccuracies'.It said the charges were brought under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order PPS statement added: 'Consideration was given to whether additional offences should be prosecuted.'After careful consideration of all the evidence submitted by police, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute either defendant for any additional offence, including a terrorist offence, such as membership of a proscribed organisation.'To prosecute for such an offence, there needs to be admissible evidence upon which a court could be sure that a defendant is a member, and not merely an associate of members of a proscribed organisation, or a supporter of any such organisation.'Statements in the media in relation to a defendant's alleged position within a proscribed organisation do not constitute admissible evidence.'The PPS is satisfied that the correct offences were prosecuted in this case.' Irvine, 49, of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast and Workman, 54, of Shore Road in Larne, County Antrim, had both previously admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm offences were committed on June 8 2022, when Workman transported a quantity of weapons and ammunition to the Glencairn area of Belfast in his van, which were then put into the boot of Irvine's Volkswagen 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 bag in the the judge noted that UVF paraphernalia was found in the homes of both defendants, he did not consider that there was a terrorist link to the weapons that were PPS statement said that while sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions is currently giving consideration to referring the sentences as 'unduly lenient'.The statement added: 'The full sentencing remarks and submissions are being obtained, and the advice of senior counsel sought, to assist in determining whether there is a proper legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.'A decision to refer must be taken within 28 days of the date on which the sentence was imposed.'The date by which a referral must be made in this case is June 17.
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
New UVF chiefs stamp authority by setting fire to Catholic man's property
'This attack is the UVF's new leaders telling the community that things aren't going to change' Larne UVF flexed their muscles this week after their leader Robin Workman was jailed by torching the car of a Catholic man. The paramilitary gang set fire to a car belonging to a man who had a run-in with Workman over an unpaid debt before the 54-year-old was jailed for five years last week for having a bag of guns and ammunition which he gave to leading loyalist Winkie Irvine.
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- Sunday World
New UVF chiefs stamp authority by torching Catholic man's property
'This attack is the UVF's new leaders telling the community that things aren't going to change' The burnt cars and shed, and right, Alan Cowan who has taken over the Larne UVF temporarily while Workman is in prison Larne UVF flexed their muscles this week after their leader Robin Workman was jailed by torching the car of a Catholic man, we can reveal. The paramilitary gang set fire to a car belonging to a man who had a run-in with Workman over an unpaid debt before the 54-year-old was jailed for five years on Tuesday for having a bag of guns and ammunition which he gave to leading loyalist Winkie Irvine. The gang also set fire to another vehicle in the same area which is understood to belong to the man's elderly parents. Today's News in 90 Seconds. Sources in the town say the timing of the attacks was very deliberate and designed to show the community the UVF still run the town despite their leader being banged-up. And they say Workman ordered the arson attack himself as he wanted to remind people he was still in charge. But we can reveal the man who has stepped into the shoes of their caged leader temporarily is his number two in the Larne UVF and notorious loan shark, Alan Cowan. The burnt cars and shed The 48-year-old, an associate of the notorious UVF double agent Mark Haddock, was previously named in court by police as being 'highly influential' in the UVF and 'involved in the UVF'. Two weeks ago we revealed how people in Larne were celebrating after Robin Workman was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing for having a stack of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances in June 2022. They told us Workman had been portraying a false image of himself for years – that of a decent man with a legitimate business in the building trade. But they say the truth was very different and that Workman was a bully who made people's lives a misery as his gang exploited people through loan-sharking and extortion rackets. 'They just randomly fine men and young fellas thousands of pounds. If they answer back or question it, more money is added on to their bill.' So there was joy amongst the community when Workman was sent to Maghaberry Prison and will now serve two-and-a-half years behind bars with the same amount served on licence afterwards. Robin Workman But those celebrations were short-lived as the new boss appears to be very much the same as the old boss and wanted to stamp his authority. The Sunday World understands the target of the UVF arsonist was the Catholic man who the UVF said owed them money and had already been subjected to an assault at a local social club. 'This guy is a Catholic man but he's popular and well-liked by both sides of the community – he wasn't targeted because of his religion,' said a source. 'Seemingly it was because he had started a relationship with a woman who had been the partner of a UVF man. 'Robin Workman told him he had to pay a £2.5K debt for that but he didn't pay. The man questioned it to others and called Workman a few names but it was reported back. 'Then someone walked into the social club and punched him in the face and added two-and-a-half grand to the bill. 'Now Workman is behind bars they have targeted his car and shed. They even set fire to his parents car which people are particularly angry about because they are elderly. 'This is the new leaders making a statement to the community that nothing is going to change and the UVF isn't going to leave them alone just because their boss is behind bars. 'It's disgusting – people are fed-up with the lot of them and wish they would just leave people to live in peace.' The burnt cars and shed Cowan was arrested in 2017 as part of a police investigation into a feud which had seen a number of homes attacked by masked men. It was during this that police described him in court as being high up in the UVF however his solicitor said Cowan strongly denied any such involvement with the terror group. But multiple sources have told the Sunday World that Cowan is the new UVF leader and was regarded as an enforcer – sent to collect unpaid debts. A PSNI spokesperson told the Sunday World: 'Police received a report of a car on fire in the Garron Walk area of Larne shortly before 11.40pm on Wednesday, May 21. 'Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. The fire spread to a second vehicle, a fence and a shed. A car at a neighbouring property was also damaged. 'Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries, although residents have been left shaken. This is being treated as arson, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances. 'Anyone with information, including dashcam, CCTV or other video footage is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 2092 of 21/5/25.' Alan Cowan who has taken over the Larne UVF temporarily while Workman is in prison Sentencing Workman at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Gordon Kerr KC said there was no history of offending or causing serious harm. But he added "there is no evidence of any exceptional circumstances" and the statutory minimum sentence must be imposed. Both Workman and Irvine were led from the dock in handcuffs into custody. After the hearing, the PSNI released photos of one of the guns and some of the ammunition seized from Irvine's car. 'Illegal firearms are synonymous with violence', said Det Supt Moutray, from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch. 'We are committed to apprehending perpetrators and this demonstrates our commitment towards keeping people safe from the fear, intimidation and control illegal firearms can cause.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saint John's Catholic Prep graduates strengthened faith, eager for the future
For Marshall Workman, the valedictorian of the class of 2025 of Saint John's Catholic Prep, graduating from high school is strange but exciting. Workman has been involved in several activities at the school, including the National Honor Society and the campus ministry. He was the president of both organizations during his senior year. He plans to major in finance or mathematics at Wilson College in Pennsylvania after graduation, and he can't wait to start playing collegiate baseball for Wilson this fall. Workman said transitioning to college from Saint John's will be a big change. He's used to not only taking all of his classes at this school, but also staying at the building afterward for extracurricular activities. During his speech to his fellow graduates Thursday morning, Workman asked everyone to recall the theme for the 2024-25 academic year: 'To the heights.' The theme encouraged students to strive for greatness in everything, including academics, athletics and religious pursuits. Together, Workman said, the class of 2025 climbed the mountain of their senior year with the help of family, friends, faculty and God. 'The diplomas we receive will not just signify the celebratory climax of our high school careers,' he said. 'They're invitations to greater heights, promises that we will continue to climb tomorrow.' The Saint John's class of 2025 consisted of 68 students, according to a commencement program. They hailed from around Maryland and the world, as some students were from outside the U.S. Two students — Workman and Katherine Russell of Frederick, who will attend the University of Tennessee — were given the Father John McElroy Award during the ceremony. This award honors the school's founder and recognizes graduating seniors who embody the Saint John's mission. Will Knotek, the head of school, congratulated the class of 2025 and recounted memories of the students and some of their antics, like when seniors skipped class and held a wedding in the great hall. The seniors made themselves at home at the school. Knotek advised the students to push themselves past their comfort zones as they embark on their futures, away from what's familiar, in order to grow. 'It will be hard at times. Life outside of your comfort zone isn't always easy, but when those challenging times come — they certainly will — I hope you remember that you always have a foundation here at Saint John's, a community that believes in you, a place where your story begins,' he said. Many graduates praised their teachers and said that going to Saint John's strengthened their faith and gave them a community. Christy Gregorian, who is from Rocky Ridge, said she was able to see how God's work played out during her four years of high school. Gregorian was part of a dual enrollment program with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg for her senior year. She took classes at the university as if she were a college student — and she enjoyed it so much that she plans to continue attending there to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship and minor in communications. At Saint John's, Gregorian was part of the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society and the garden club. She said high school taught her that if people are focused on their work and have a good work ethic, no matter what challenges arise, they will succeed. 'It feels like I kind of already graduated since I was there at the Mount for a whole year,' Gregorian said. 'It feels nice closing this chapter and fully moving to the Mount and knowing that the time I had here at Saint John's was a great time.' Louis Maciulla, who is from Hagerstown, transferred to Saint John's for his senior year after the school he was attending, St. Maria Goretti Catholic School in Washington County, shut down after the 2023-2024 academic year. Maciulla will attend Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and plans to major in civil engineering. He said that transferring to a new school after spending three years at one place caused anxiety — but he's been able to make lasting friendship and create an imapct on the school. Maciulla said he created a position in the Student Government Association to represent transfer students. He also was part of the school's golf team that won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference Championship this year. He said that's never happened before in Saint John's history. Maciulla said that even though he's graduating high school, he still feels like he's at the beginning of his life's journey. 'It's gonna be a fun experience. I feel like I was well-prepared here in my high school career to kind of go to the next level,' he said. 'It's still getting started.'
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Banding together to help save a life from cancer
Geraldine musicians are joining forces to help raise money for essential medication for a bandmate's daughter. Local musician Craig Workman's daughter Kim was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma in March. The most effective treatment for the type of cancer she had was four cycles of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab, but it is not funded in New Zealand. The cost was $60,000 for four cycles of treatment. While a Givealittle page had been set up to raise money for her to access the drugs, a few weeks ago the cancer had progressed to a stage where a faster-acting drug — also not funded — was needed. A 10cm tumour pushing on her stomach had made eating almost impossible and simple things like vacuuming and washing had become painful. Miss Workman said the doctors had a "quick consultation in the hallway" and she had been moved straight to hospice for symptom control. "They were amazing, the care was absolutely phenomenal." She said people might think hospice was solely for end-of-life care, but that was not the case for everyone. Because the day Miss Workman found out she needed to change medication was a public holiday, her partner Sade Hopkins had flown to Auckland where a friend was waiting with the $5000 medication she had purchased from a chemist. Miss Workman said she could feel the tumours were reducing, and in the last week-and-a-half she had begun to feel better, even managing to drive to Timaru. Once the cancer stabilised she would begin again on Ipilimumab and Nivolumab. When her father's bandmates and choirmates found out Mr Workman's daughter needed help, they came up with the idea of a fundraising concert. Musical director Glenys Carson said that being in a choir "it seemed fairly natural to do a concert". Mrs Carson said the Geraldine community got behind them with other bands stepping forward to play. She said Mr Workman was "definitely a prominent person" in the musical scene in Geraldine, often playing at the farmers markets. While Mr Workman and his wife Paulette are now on the road for a new job, they would return for their daughter's fundraiser. Miss Hopkins said her partner's parents' new job was unfortunate timing. On February 1 they had been offered the new job, and on March 1 their daughter had been diagnosed. "Kim is just a naturally strong and uplifting person, it has been hard seeing her in pain." The couple met 16 years ago working at the same restaurant, and while Miss Hopkins had initially said she hoped for another 16 years, on further reflection, "another 60 would be great". The concert will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 2pm at St Mary's Church. Door sales and cash only.
