ONE of the most intriguing elements of the investigation into the Northern Bank robbery and subsequent money-laundering operation was the theory that the masterminds behind it planned to buy a bank in Bulgaria to convert the hot cash into legal tender.

FORMER Government troubleshooter and trade union figurehead Phil Flynn is facing firearms charges after Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) officers discovered a small gun in his Dublin office.

TWO more Irish citizens travelled to Bulgaria in connection with activities which are under investigation as part of an alleged IRA money laundering operation.

FURTHER details of Government troubleshooter Phil Flynn’s business interests in Bulgaria with Cork moneylender Ted Cunningham emerged last night as interest in the affair grows in Sofia.