Derry's Jim Roddy provides character reference for prominent loyalist Winston Irvine

A Derry peace-building intermediary provided a character reference prominent loyalist Winston Irvine, it has emerged.

In the reference City Centre Manager Jim Roddy described Winston Irvine as “honest” and “trustworthy”.

In March 2022, Irvine was caught with guns and ammunition in the boot of his car.

Arrested in June 2022, he subsequently pleaded guilty to 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.

Trial documents obtained by Belfast Telegraph journalist, Sam McBride, revealed Jim Roddy and former Methodist Church president, Reverend Harold Good, had provided a joint, written statement of character for Irvine following his arrest in 2022.

Mr Roddy and Rev Good stated the character reference was “based on our experience and the work that we have carried out with him over the last six years”.

The two men also sought anonymity based on their “roles”. The request was declined by trial Judge Gordon Kerr KC.

The full statement of character read: “In light of our roles and because of threats that have been issued in the past we would ask the Court to grant us anonymity.

“We are both known as trusted facilitators within the peacebuilding community and beyond.

“We have worked very closely with Winston Irvine and many others over the past six years on problems relating to intercommunal disputes and issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

“In our work we have always found Winston to be honest, trustworthy and someone who is prepared, along with the rest of us, to take risks to secure peaceful outcomes to some very difficult disputes between the different traditions within our community.”

It added: “Such is the nature of this work these risks that we have taken range from reputational risk to personal physical risk.

“The contentious issues that we have been working on include parading, bonfires, street violence, flags/emblems, community identity and legacy. We only engage in such work by invitation and with those who have demonstrated that they are committed to building a peaceful, non-violent society for all of our citizens.

“Winston has always subscribed to these principles and indeed encouraged others to compromise, where this may have seemed unlikely.

“Our engagement over the past six years has been continual and we would have co-operated regularly and without break with each other, during this period.”

In a statement to the Derry News, Mr Roddy said he provided the reference at a time when Mr Irvine had pleaded his innocence in respect of the charges and was presumed innocent.

Mr Roddy said: “In June 2022 I was asked by Mr. Irvines solicitor if I would provide a testimonial to attest to the work that I had been involved in, over a number of years, with Winston Irvine.

“This was for the purpose of a bail application before the High Court in relation to the firearms and ammunitions charges that he faced.

“The reference was written at a time when Mr Irvine had pleaded his innocence in respect of the charges and was presumed innocent.

“The contents of the reference related to a summary of the work we had been involved in which included issues such as parading, bonfires, street violence, flags and emblems, and legacy.

“I will continue to work with people from every part of our community in the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation, and with a view to making our city and the wider region a more receptive place for all its inhabitants.”

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Mr Roddy and Rev Good were also instrumental in setting up the Lambeth Palace Talks in London in November 2020, hosted by then Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

None of the North’s political parties were invited to the talks. Those present included representatives of the Irish and British governments, republican Sean Murray, Winston Irvine, Judith Thompson - then commissioner for victims and survivors - and veterans commissioner, Danny Kinahan.

Appearng in Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday, Irwin received a sentence of two-and-a-half-years; he will serve half of that in jail and the other on licence.

However, his co-accused, Robin Workman, received the statutory five-year sentence; He will also serve half of that term in jail.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill described Irvine’s sentence as “too lenient”, while former UUP leader, Doug Beattie, said he intends to write to the Public Prosecution Service about the matter.

He described Irvine's sentence as “bizarre” following his decision not to provide any explanation for the weaponry found in his car.