Detectives from Terrorism Investigation Unit have charged Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine with a number of offences.

The 46-year-old 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.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Saturday, June 11, for a first remand hearing.

As is usual procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.

Irvine was arrested earlier this week at his home in Disraeli Street off the Shankill Road in west Belfast by TIU detectives investigating a UVF hoax bomb alert in March this year at a cross community event attended by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.