Three men who must be praying the £22m gang are not republicans

THE £22 million Belfast heist raises the very apt question of whether it was civilian criminality, or paramilitary criminality.

The difference may be moot to the unfortunate Northern Bank, but is crucial to affairs in Northern Ireland.

The difference could mean an exceptionally happy Christmas for Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams or DUP leader Ian Paisley.