Orde blaming IRA for 'operational' reasons

Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Hugh Orde has said his decision to blame the IRA for the £26.5m (€37.7m) Northen Bank robbery in Belfast before Christmas was not because of political bias.

He said: “This is an operational decision. It is my decision. It is made because we need to get on with the investigation. The peace process is a matter for others.”

The chief constable confirmed that more than 45 detectives were involved in what he said was a complex and complicated inquiry which involved civilian analysts and forensic experts.

They had amassed 560 exhibits and carried out 100 interviews, with another 100 planned.

Detectives, he said, were working round the clock, acting on substantial intelligence in a bid to apprehend the robbers.

Unionists immediately denounced the Republican movement.