Northern Bank notes may be withdrawn

There is speculation in Northern Ireland that Northern Bank notes may be withdrawn from circulation to prevent cash stolen from the bank's headquarters this week from being laundered.

All the main Northern banks print their own notes and by withdrawing all denominations printed specifically by the Northern Bank, it would restrict the capacity of the gang to use the stolen money.

But the process would be problematic for people who have saved large quantities of cash legitimately.

Nevertheless it is under serious consideration after Monday's massive robbery.

The vast majority of the money stolen on Monday was in new or used Northern Bank notes.