DPP to receive Northern Bank file

THE completed garda file on the Northern Bank raid and alleged IRA money laundering is due to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions within the next few weeks.

The mammoth investigation, ongoing for almost 20 months, has been held up by legal difficulties, the Irish Examiner understands.

The key legal obstacle facing the State is proving that the cash seized in the Republic, in February 2005, is linked with the £26.5m (€38.6m) stolen in the Northern Bank robbery, in December 2004.