Ahern says Cork cash was linked to Northern Bank robbery

The cash seized during a recent garda crackdown on suspected IRA money-laundering was linked to the £26.5m (€38m) bank heist in Belfast, according to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

Speaking during media interviews last night, Mr Ahern said the Gardaí were "absolutely and totally satisfied" that cash recovered during raids in Cork earlier this year was stolen during the December 20 robbery.

The SDLP has responded by demanding that the Provisional IRA stops denying responsibility for the raid and vows to end all criminal activity.

The PSNI, backed by the Irish and British governments, has blamed the IRA for the heist, despite the organisation’s vehement denials of involvement.