Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAN ‘TRANSPORTED GUNS TO LOYALIST’
Court told cops saw weapons handover
POLICE believe a man accused of firearms offences transported weapons to a meeting with loyalist Winston Irvine, a court heard.
Robin Workman, 51, and Irvine, were arrested last week by police investigating an alert that led to Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney being evacuated from a peace event.
At Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Workman was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
He is also accused of possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate and possession of ammunition without a certificate. A detective inspector told the court he could connect Workman, from the Shore Road, Larne, Co Antrim, to the charges.
Irvine, 46, of Ballysillan Road, North Belfast, appeared in court charged with firearm offences on Saturday.
A defence lawyer asked the officer if it was accurate that during Irvine’s appearance, his counsel suggested he was acting as “some form of decommissioning interlocutor”.
The officer said that had been implied by Irvine’s lawyer.
The detective inspector told the court that last Wednesday police observed a red van pull up behind Irvine’s car on Glencairn Street in Belfast.
Following an exchange between the drivers, Irvine was seen to open the boot of his car before driving off.
Irvine was arrested in Disraeli Street soon after and officers discovered guns, magazines and more than 200 bullets in a bag in the boot.
Workman was arrested in Ballymena, Co Antrim, that day. Objecting to bail, the officer said: “The police case is this has the hallmarks of a paramilitary operation.
“Our concern would be that we have recovered a wide range of ammunition with weapons that they are not compatible with so believe there are other weapons that this ammunition would marry up with.
“Our case is that the applicant transported them to the meeting with his co-accused to be handed over. He therefore has knowledge of the storage locations of other weapons.”
A defence lawyer said Workman denied during three days of police interview he was the individual who met Irvine.
He added: “This case should be distinguished entirely from his co-accused.
“His co-accused is somewhat of a high-profile individual. He made the case that he will be calling a galaxy of witnesses to attest to his efficacy and his works in the peace process.
“He is a self-employed joiner with no criminal record.”
The district judge said he was satisfied a prima facie case had been established and denied bail.
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