Northern Bank-hostage couple deserve thanks, says judge

Those behind the £26.5m (€33.5m) Northern Bank robbery were prepared to use the tactics of terrorism against innocent people whether they came from an organisation, a criminal gang or both, the judge hearing the case in Belfast said today.

Mr Justice McLaughlin spoke out as key witness – banker Kevin McMullan, who was forced to facilitate the Belfast robbery in December 2004 after his wife was abducted – completed six gruelling days in the witness box giving evidence and being cross-examined.