Loyalist Winston Irvine receives prison sentence for firearms offences

Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph, May 20th, 2025

Loyalist Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine has been sentenced to 30 months for firearms offences.

His co-accused Robin Workman was handed a five-year tariff.

Irvine (49) and Workman (54) previously pleaded guilty to a raft of charges relating to the seizure of weapons and ammunition by police in north Belfast in June 2022.

Judge Kerr KC said there were factors in respect of Irvine that “could be considered exceptional”, in particular his work in peacebuilding, which meant he did not see it fit to hand down a statutory minimum sentence starting at five years.

Regarding Workman, the judge said there was nothing exceptional in his case and sentenced him to five years.

Prior to handing down his sentences at Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Kerr KC outlined the facts of the case.

The court heard how, on the morning of June 8, 2022, police observed both men in the Glencairn Crescent area of the city.

Workman, of Shore Road in Larne, was in a red Volkswagen Transporter van, while Irvine, of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, was in a black Volkswagen Tiguan.

After the boot was closed, Irvine drove to nearby Disraeli Street, where he was stopped by police.

False statements

Irvine initially told police he could not account for the bag in the boot of his car and did not know what it contained, which the judge said was his “first false statement”.

When the bag was searched, police found a Brixia pistol, a Brocock air cartridge revolver, ammunition and magazines. CCTV footage had also captured both vehicles travelling in the area that morning.

Judge Kerr outlined how Irvine and Workman were both arrested and a search of Workman’s Larne home found a number of items that were seized by police, including a UVF magazine, a UVF armband and an air rifle.

When he was interviewed by police, Workman denied ever seeing, possessing or touching any of the items recovered from Irvine’s car, however forensic analysis found his DNA on the handle of the bag.

He also denied knowing Mr Irvine, the court heard, but his number was found on Irvine’s phone, which showed both were in contact with each other.

Irvine’s peace making role acknowledged by lower setence

Irvine gave police a pre-prepared statement when he was interviewed, outlining his community work. He also reiterated that he did not know what was in the back found in the boot of his vehicle.

Both men initially denied all the charges they were facing, which included possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing a handgun without a certificate and possessing a prohibited firearm.

Despite these denials, both men later pleaded guilty to all charges.

In court on Tuesday, the judge outlined submissions from Irvine’s defence counsel, which detailed his “character and long-term commitment to peacebuilding in Northern Ireland”, community work and the fact that he was the main provider for his family.

Handing down a 30-month sentence to Irvine, the judge said he will serve half in prison and half on licence.

Workman was given a five-year sentence, with half to be served in prison and half on licence.

A disposal order was given for all items seized.

Operation Banner military veterans 'being pressured not to support Legacy Act petition'

By Richard Wheeler, PA Parliamentary Editor, Belfast News Letter, May 19th, 2025,

British veterans are being pressured to not support a petition calling for those who served in Northern Ireland to be protected from prosecution, MPs have heard.

Conservative former minister Sir David Davis said regimental associations have been told to remove references to the petition from their social media feeds, as he warned they risk being "silenced by bureaucratic interference".

Defence Secretary John Healey pledged to examine the concerns.

The petition on the UK Parliament website, which has received more than 87,000 signatures, is entitled "Protect Northern Ireland veterans from prosecutions".

25 May 1992: members of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment assisting the RUC at a roadblock outside Dungannon

25 May 1992: members of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment assisting the RUC at a roadblock outside Dungannon

It states: "We think that the Government should not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of 'Operation Banner' (1969-2007)."

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, introduced by the previous Conservative government, halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths.

The current Labour Government has pledged to repeal and replace some of the provisions of the contentious legislation.

Over 87,000 signatures in a week

Sir David, raising a point of order, told the House of Commons : "There was a parliamentary petition put up by a member of the public just over a week ago, a very successful one, that was supported by a large number of regimental associations.

"In the middle of last week an email was sent from the directorate of infantry to regimental headquarters saying 'with immediate effect' - that's highlighted in red - 'please ensure that all of your communication channels, including Twitter, X etc remove any feeds related to the Northern Ireland Troubles Act announcement and any associated petitions'.

"Regimental associations are there to look after the interests of veterans and support those veterans and defend their interests. It's not for the MoD ( Ministry of Defence ) hierarchy to dictate what they can or cannot promote, particularly when it concerns legitimate parliamentary engagement.

"Veterans' voices must not be silenced by bureaucratic interference so can you advise me whether it's appropriate to pressure regimental associations to remove content supporting democratic participation?"

Mr Healey replied: "It's new on me, I have to say. Most regimental associations that I know can't be pressured by anyone from outside but I'm grateful to him for raising it in the House.

"Anything that interferes with the parliamentary process is something of concern to all members of this House and I will certainly look into it and get back to him."