IRA officially denies Northern Bank heist

The leadership of the Provisional IRA has officially denied any involvement in last month's Northern Bank heist in Belfast.

PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde has publicly blamed the organisation for the robbery, a stance supported by the Irish and British Governments, as well as all the North's political parties except Sinn Féin.

However, in a short statement signed with the traditional moniker P O'Neill, the Provisional IRA insisted it was not behind the raid.

IRA sources had previously denied that the organisation was involved, but politicians in Ireland and Britain had claimed this was not a real denial as it was not delivered under the name of P O'Neill.

The SDLP has refused to accept the IRA’s denial.

Party’s chairwoman, Patricia Lewsley, said there was no reason why the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his Justice Minister Dermot Ahern would say the IRA was responsible unless they were confident.

She added: “There is no reason why the Irish Government would not tell the truth. The SDLP continues to believe the Irish Government’s assessment which is also backed by Hugh Orde.”