North’s PPS faces more criticism over Northern Bank trial

The North's Public Prosecution Service is coming in for further criticism following the collapse of the Northern Bank trial yesterday.

Chris Ward, the 26-year-old bank employee charged with involvement in the robbery, was acquitted after the prosecution decided not to put forward any further evidence.

The PPS has already been heavily criticised over the failed prosecution of Sean Hoey in relation to the Omagh bombing.

Mr Ward's solicitor is calling for an investigation into the PPS, saying millions of pounds had been spent in the pursuit of an innocent man who had been rescued from the "appalling vista of a miscarriage of justice".

Mr Ward himself, whose family was held hostage by the raiders, is also taking Northern Bank to an industrial tribunal for firing him in the wake of the robbery.