North talks face another count

Peace process dealt another blow as IRA accused of being behind £26.5m bank heist, writes Dan McGinn.

THE NORTH’S bid for stable devolved government received another body blow yesterday after Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he believed the IRA carried out the £26.5 million bank heist.

Like a boxer in a gruelling 15-round contest, talks aimed at securing power-sharing have been battered and bruised since the Good Friday Agreement was forged in 1998. But the process has also shown remarkable resilience and an ability to get itself off the ropes at times of crisis.