The UVF chief Winston “Winkie” Irvine could be facing jail time after pleading guilty to firearms charges.
Irvine (49), of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, and Robin Workman (53), of Shore Road in Larne, Co Antrim, were due to go on trial at Belfast.
But their lawyers made applications for their clients to be re-arraigned and both men entered guilty pleas to possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
They also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate.
It perhaps brings to an end to well-known loyalist Irvine’s dual-career as a tax-funded community worker and paramilitary.
The charges led from Irvine becoming a top target for the PSNI following a hoax bomb alert at a peace conference which forced the then Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney to flee.
Who’s Winkie Irvine, how did he get caught, and what does this mean for his role in loyalist transitioning?
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph security correspondent Allison Morris.
‘Peace’ game is up for UVF chief Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine as he finally admits gun charges
