Character references provided by clergymen and other representatives highlighted his long-term commitment and positive impact on the local community.

Lawyers representing the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) then challenged Irvine’s sentence at the Court of Appeal.

A PPS barrister said there were no exceptional circumstances in Irvine’s case.

“This was a man of peace and good work, that was his public profile, but there was a private profile where he had (possession) of arms,” he said.

The barrister claimed Irvine’s crimes were a “gross breach” of the confidence placed in him by those who provided the character references which should have been treated as an aggravating factor.

“It somewhat defies logic that his offences were dealt with in a lesser way,” Mr Murphy submitted.

“He has betrayed community trust by the commission of these offences.”

A barrister representing Irvine argued that the trial judge had correctly assessed a bundle of letters which praised her client’s contribution to society.

“It was exceptional in every sense of the word,” she maintained.