Time for Taoiseach to get tough

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s unequivocal claim that Sinn Féin leaders knew during recent power-sharing talks the IRA was planning the £26.5 million Belfast bank heist will count for nothing unless he is prepared to impose sanctions.

Otherwise, what is the point of saying “this was a Provisional IRA job” or that it was “known to the political leadership”.

Apart from being upset to learn the leaders were aware of those plans at a time when he was engaged in intensive talks with them, Mr Ahern insists the priority must be to keep the peace process going.