A loyal acquaintance has been arrested after a court told him police found weapons and ammunition in a bag in the trunk of his car.
Winston Irvine, 46, of Ballysillan, north Belfast, was arrested on Wednesday as police investigated a security alert that led to Irish Government Minister Simon Coveney being evacuated 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 gun without a certificate, and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
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He appeared by video link in Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday wearing a red T-shirt.
When asked if he understood the charges, Irvine said, “Yes, I know.”
A PSNI detective inspector told the court he could connect Irvine with the charges.
The officer told the court that officers had planned an operation to arrest Irvine on Wednesday in connection with “an unrelated matter”.
Police said Irvine’s car was spotted on Glencairn Street when a van parked in the back and Irvine was seen opening the trunk of his vehicle.
The detective inspector said Irvine was arrested on Disraeli Street and officers found several firearms, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in a suitcase bag.
The officer told the court that Irvine said she had not been aware of what was in the bag.
A search of Irvine’s home uncovered an amount of cash, as well as a UVF plate and pendants, the court heard.
The inspector objected to a bail application.
He said: “The police case would be that this has the hallmarks of a paramilitary operation, given the amount of ammunition and the range of weapons and components that were found, that this is typical of the kind of things that paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland.
“People who would have access to such large amounts would only be trusted members of the organization.”
Defense attorney Joe Brolly told the court that Irvine should be released on bail.
He said: “The bail applicant is a well-known peace builder in this community.
“A simple internet search will show for the last 15 years that he has been intensely involved in the peace process, reconciliation and peace programs.
“He has worked through the division for the last 20 years, this is not disputed.
“Not only does he work with former Loyalist prisoners, but he also works intensely with former Republican prisoners and continues to do so.
“He has publicly dedicated his life to defending peace in difficult situations.
“There are tensions, especially in the loyal community, and their role is to keep a lid on it.”
District Judge George Conner denied bail, saying “a major shipment of weapons and ammunition had been recovered.”
Irvine was arrested for re-appearing in court on July 1.
A 51-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in Ballymena as part of the same investigation remains under arrest.
The two arrests were made as part of a PSNI investigation into a security alert on March 25 when an act of peace was disrupted, organized by the John and Pat Hume Foundation.
Houben Center on Crumlin Road was evacuated while Mr. Coveney was giving an address and a funeral service was interrupted at the nearby Holy Cross Church.
Police said the driver of a van was threatened by two gunmen and forced to drive a device, believed to be a live bomb, to the church.
The object of the van turned out to be a deceptive bomb.
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