Man remanded in custody over Belfast peace event alert
A well-known loyalist has been denied bail after a court was told that police discovered weapons and ammunition in a bag in the boot of his car in Belfast.
Winston Irvine, 46, was arrested on Wednesday as part of a separate PSNI investigation into 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 in suspicious circumstances, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
During an appearance at Laganside Magistrates' Court on Saturday, a detective inspector told the court that a number of weapons and ammunition were found in the boot of Irvine's car on Wednesday after a search.
A defence lawyer told the court that Irvine was a "renowned peace builder" who had demonstrated public support for the peace process. He also said Irvine was a member of the Police Community Partnership Board in north Belfast.
A district judge denied an application for bail, stating that a "significant haul of weapons and ammunition" had been recovered.
Irvine was remanded in custody to appear in court again on July 1.
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