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A leading loyalist and a co-accused have been ordered to stand trial after guns and ammunition were found in the boot of a car two years ago, a judge has ruled.

Winston Irvine failed to have the case against him thrown out at a preliminary hearing at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

The 48-year-old from Ballysillan Road in the city denies the charges relating to weapons seized in the north of Belfast.

Co-defendant Robin Workman, from Shore Road in Larne, allegedly transported guns in his van to a meeting at Glencairn Street.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard police identified Mr Irvine in a Volkswagen Tiguan parked in the area in June 2022.

He was observed in conversation with 53-year-old Mr Workman before closing the boot of his car and driving off, a Crown lawyer told the court.

A short time later police detained Mr Irvine at Disraeli Street in the city.

When asked if there was anything in the car he could not account for, Mr Irvine replied “bag in the boot”.

A long-barrelled firearm, two suspected pistols, several magazines, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were discovered inside a holdall in the boot, the court heard.

Mr Irvine denies knowing anything about the contents of the bag.

Both defendants are charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate, and having ammunition without a certificate.

Mr Irvine called Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton as a witness.

The court heard the two men have known each other for ten years, stretching back to Mr Singleton’s role as an area commander dealing with parading disputes in north Belfast.

Mr Singleton confirmed Mr Irvine has his mobile number and that all their dealings were on issues of peace and reconciliation.

Defence solicitor Darragh Mackin put to him that he knew of his client’s role in resolving a parading standoff, ending riots and attending talks on legacy issues in London.

Mr Singleton expressed no concerns at the defendant being on the guest list for talks.

Mr Workman did not challenge prosecution submissions that he has a prima facie case to answer.

Mr Irvine made no comment during police interviews but provided a prepared statement in which he claimed:

“I have developed a reputation as a trusted interlocutor engaging with the community on key outstanding issues in relation to the Northern Ireland peace and political process,” he stated.

Mr Mackin argued that those claims were supported by Mr Singleton’s evidence of dealing with him as a community representative.

“From the outset he has strenuously denied these charges and set out in unequivocal terms his defence,” the solicitor said.

“He isn’t connected forensically in any way to the items in question.”

However, Judge Marshall said the guns and ammunition were found in the boot of Mr Irvine’s car.

She said: “I’m going to return (both defendants) for trial at Belfast Crown Court.”

The men were released on continuing bail, to appear next for their arraignment on a date to be fixed.