Latest news with #loyalist
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Investigation into Belfast murder of Peter Gallagher 'inadequate'
The police investigation into the loyalist murder of a man in west Belfast in 1993 was "wholly inadequate" and failed his family, the Police Ombudsman has Gallagher, a 44-year-old father of seven from Toomebridge, County Antrim, was shot by a UFF gunman while arriving for work at the Westlink Enterprise Centre shortly before 8am on 24 March Anderson said her investigation found there were a total of 12 people who should have been of interest to the murder investigation, but none were she added that her enquiries had found no intelligence that, if acted upon by police, could have prevented Mr Gallagher's murder. Mrs Anderson found that the 12 suspects were linked by "significant, and on occasion corroborative, intelligence and other information".She also criticised the police decision to cease surveillance of members of the UDA/UFF two days before the murder, despite multiple intelligence and other reports indicating the group were actively planning three days of surveillance being paused on 22 March 1993 - when police resources were reallocated in response to intelligence about IRA activity - the Shankill-based 'C Company' unit of the UDA/UFF had murdered Mr Gallagher and, in a separate attack the following day, 17-year-old Damien Walsh, the report the time surveillance of C Company members resumed on 30 March 1993, they had also attempted to murder two other people."I found no evidence that during this time police had reconsidered their decision to cease surveillance of 'C Company' members, despite the murders of Mr Gallagher and Damien Walsh, and mounting intelligence about other planned attacks," Mrs Anderson Police Ombudsman said was there no evidence that security forces provided information to paramilitaries to facilitate the attack. Mr Gallagher was hit multiple times by shots fired from an area of grass behind fencing overlooking the back of the Westlink Enterprise Centre, and backing onto the nearby dual UFF admitted responsibility and police received information indicating the attack had been carried out by members of 'C Company'.Mrs Anderson said the initial police response to Mr Gallagher's murder had been appropriate and comprehensive in nature.A bicycle suspected to have been used by the gunman was found near a footbridge across the Westlink near Roden Street.A 9mm Browning pistol wrapped in a balaclava was recovered near the scene of the attack, and scenes of crime examination recovered 10 empty cartridge cases, three bullet heads as well as soil and grass enquiries were undertaken, and vehicle checkpoints were conducted on both lanes of the Westlink the following morning. These enquiries identified a number of witnesses, and more than 50 statements were obtained from members of the public, police officers, expert witnesses and medical the day of Mr Gallagher's murder, police conducted searches of the homes of two men. A number of items were seized during one of the searches - including three balaclavas, a coat with surgical gloves in the pocket, and a plastic bag of on the items found no link to the Mrs Anderson said it was difficult to understand why - as the murder investigation progressed and intelligence and other information coalesced around three primary suspects - they had not been has been convicted over either the murder of Mr Gallagher or of Mr Walsh.
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Broadway shows keep the Kennedy Center going. But will they stay away?
'Heart numbing,' 'nightmare' and 'an 'oh, no' moment' are some of the ways top Broadway insiders have described President Donald Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center. Shortly before installing a loyalist board in February, the soon-to-be chairman of the institution declared on social media, 'THE BEST IS YET TO COME!' But conversations I've had with a dozen industry leaders over the past few months reveal an uncertain future for the center's theater programming.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Winston Irvine jailed for firearm offences
The high-profile loyalist Winston Irvine who previously admitted a range of firearm and ammunition offences has been given a 30-month 49-year-old of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast will spend half of that in custody and half on Belfast Crown Court, his co-accused Robin Workman, 54, of Shore Road, Larne was also sentenced to five years; half to be served on 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 further pleaded guilty to possessing an air rifle without a 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 made no comment during police 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Irish Times
Leading loyalist jailed after being caught with firearms and ammunition in his car
Leading loyalist Winston Irvine, who was caught by police with firearms and ammunition in the boot of his car, has been handed a 2½ year sentence at Belfast Crown Court. Irvine will serve half of the 30 month-sentence in jail and the other half on licence. He avoided a statutory five-year sentence on several of the charges he faced after judge Gordon Kerr KC ruled there were 'exceptional circumstances' in his case, namely the Irvine's 'work for peace and his charity work in the community'. Irvine's co-accused in the case, Robin Workman, was handed the statutory five-year sentence by the judge. He will serve half of that term in prison. READ MORE Irvine (49), of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, and Workman, (54), of Shore Road, Larne, Co Antrim had both previously admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. They 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 certificate. Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm certificate. The offences were committed on June 8th, 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 the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Disraeli Street. - PA
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
No explanation why weapons were in boot of loyalist's car, court hears
No explanation has yet been provided why a leading loyalist had firearms and ammunition in the boot of his car, a court has been told. However, a barrister for Winston Irvine said his 'long-term commitment to peace-building in Northern Ireland' should be taken into account when he is sentenced for weapons offences. Advertisement Irvine, 49, of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast and co-accused Robin Workman, 54, of Shore Road in Larne, County Antrim were both remanded in custody following a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday. The sentencing hearing took place at Belfast Crown Court. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. They had previously admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. They 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 certificate. Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm certificate. Advertisement The court heard that the offences were committed on June 8th 2022. A prosecuting barrister said that 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 boot. Advertisement The barrister said that during police interview Irvine had given a statement outlining his work as a 'community representative and interlocutor'. The court was told that a UVF magazine was discovered during a subsequent police search of Workman's house. The barrister said: 'No explanation has been forthcoming to this day about what was going on with these firearms.' He said there was no evidence that they had been intended for terrorist use. Advertisement Brenda Campbell KC, representing Irvine, said he had a 'proven long-term commitment to peace-building in Northern Ireland'. She told the court he had directly engaged with a number of groups, including the UK and Irish governments, over the years. Ms Campbell said a number of references had been provided for Irvine, including from David Campbell, chairman of the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC). She said Mr Campbell had described Irvine as a 'key figure in discussions within the loyalist community in moving away from paramilitarism'. Advertisement The barrister added: 'At critical junctures he has brought people away from violence to peace.' Winston Irvine was told he would be sentenced next week. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. She said he had only been in possession of the 'low grade' firearms for a few minutes and there was no evidence of violent or terrorist intent. Ms Campbell said: 'The possession of these items ought not to hold this man back from making a continued contribution in the not-too-distant future.' Michael Borrelli KC, representing Workman, said his client was occasionally asked to undertake work as a 'messenger' to 'prevent problematical situations'. He told the court that he had been asked to transport a bag in his vehicle, and became suspicious when he picked it up that it contained firearms. The barrister said when his client saw Irvine in Belfast it confirmed his belief that the weapons were to be taken out of circulation. Ireland Gerry Adams says Spotlight allegations undermine p... Read More In response, the prosecuting barrister said there was no evidential basis for the contention that the weapons were to be taken out of commission. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said he would pass sentence in the case next Thursday. However, he said he was satisfied that the custodial threshold had been met and ordered the two defendants to be remanded in custody.
