There was strong speculation last night that the PSNI chief constable, Mr Hugh Orde, will today name the IRA as the prime suspects for the £22 million Northern Bank robbery, notwithstanding a statement by Mr Gerry Adams that the IRA was not involved.
Mr Orde is to brief the Policing Board chairman, Sir Desmond Rea, and deputy chairman, Mr Denis Bradley, this morning on the robbery. He will hold a press conference around lunchtime when he may name the IRA as the main suspects.
No one has been arrested or charged in connection with the robbery. The chief focus of the police searches, however, was in nationalist west Belfast, triggering speculation that the IRA was behind the December 20th raid. Unionist politicians warned of "dire" political consequences if the IRA is officially blamed. It would almost certainly put back until after the British general election, expected in May, any renewed drive to restore devolution by the British and Irish governments. Even then the long-term fallout from any IRA involvement would render the chances of agreement quite problematic.
Sinn Féin president Mr Adams, claimed that "securocrats" intent on "demonising and criminalising" republicans were behind the allegations.
His comments came after the IRA issued a New Year statement carrying the official P. O'Neill signature. The statement complained that a comprehensive deal that would have seen the IRA decommissioning and entering a "new mode" was prevented by "an unachievable demand for humiliation". The statement did not refer specifically to the robbery, although it did say it rejected "attempts to criminalise our volunteers".
Shortly after the robbery, however, a senior republican source said the IRA was not involved. While this did not come with the P. O'Neill imprimatur, Mr Adams said yesterday he believed the IRA did not stage the robbery.
"From the beginning I held the view that the IRA was not involved in that robbery. The IRA has said it wasn't involved. I believe that to be the case," he said. "The two governments need to think long and hard about whose agenda is being served by accusations, mainly from the DUP, attacking Sinn Féin and seeking to link our party to allegations of IRA involvement in the Northern Bank robbery.
"It is obvious that the series of raids, house searches and confiscation of property directed at republican activists that have taken place in recent weeks have had nothing to do with tracking down those responsible for the bank robbery.
"Instead, this has been a contrivance aimed at pointing the finger of guilt at republicans - even in the absence of any evidence," said Mr Adams.
Sinn Féin's justice spokesman Mr Gerry Kelly, said the robbery was "wrong", and that he also accepted the IRA was not implicated.
Asked about his view of the crime, Mr Kelly said: "It is not right . . I am saying it is wrong."
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, said "the consequences for Sinn Féin will be dire and grim" if Mr Orde today implicates Sinn Féin in the robbery.
"Our view that the process should move on without those inextricably and symbiotically linked to terrorism and criminality will more and more be seen as the inevitable way forward," he added.
Carol Coulter, Legal Affairs Correspondent adds: The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has reiterated his view that there is no place in democratic politics for anyone who breaks the law.
The Minister was speaking to journalists after turning the sod for the extension of the Garda College at Templemore yesterday, and he said he would echo the words of the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.
"There are no grey areas left any more. Why do we have tribunals in Dublin Castle and at the same time have disputes with people who refuse to acknowledge the IRA engages in criminal acts?"
However, he refused to speculate on who might be responsible for the bank raid, saying he awaited the verdict of Mr Orde.
