Leading loyalist Winston Irvine charged with firearms offences

Winston Irvine appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

A leading loyalist has been remanded in custody after police found firearms and ammunition in a bag in the boot of his car in Belfast, a court has been told.

Winston Irvine, 46, was denied bail by a judge at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

He appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

He was arrested on Wednesday by police investigating a security alert at an event attended by Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney in March.

Police said officers had planned to arrest him on an "unrelated matter" when they saw him opening and closing the boot of his vehicle shortly after a van had parked behind him.

Mr Irvine's car was searched a short time later in the Shankill Road area.

Officers discovered two suspected firearms, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in a holdall in the boot, the court heard on Saturday.

The 46-year-old told officers that he could not account for the bag in his boot which contained the holdall.

'Renowned peacebuilder'

The court heard that during five police interviews, lasting almost four hours, Mr Irvine declined to comment.

The defendant told police that the items found in the bag after the search off the Shankill Road were nothing to do with him.

The court also heard that a number of Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) pins and pendants were found following a search of Mr Irvine's home, as well as a balaclava.

The detective inspector told the court that police were objecting to bail on the grounds of the danger of further offences and interference with justice.

A lawyer acting for Mr Irvine told the court his client was a renowned peacebuilder who has been involved in intensive work in the community over the last 20 years.

Mr Irvine will appear in court again on 1 July.