Orde’s claims should be taken with pinch of salt

UNSUBSTANTIATED claims by PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde that the IRA was responsible for the Belfast bank raid must be viewed with scepticism.

If it emerges that there was IRA involvement, then those responsible should be held accountable under the law. In the meantime innocence must be assumed in accordance with democratic principles. For the chief constable of one of the most discredited police forces in the world to make such serious allegations in the absence of any solid evidence is outrageous.

Already the political implications of Mr Orde’s allegations have impacted on the peace process in a very negative manner, much to the delight of Dr Paisley and his power-sharing rejectionists in the DUP.

Tom Cooper

23 Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16