SF knew of IRA bank plot, says Ahern

SINN FÉIN leaders knew the IRA was planning the country's biggest-ever bank robbery while they were negotiating a peace deal with the Irish and British governments, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.

The Government also confirmed last night that any deal on the early release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was now "off" following Friday's revelations.

In a strongly worded attack, Mr Ahern said he had consulted with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and had no reason to doubt Chief Constable Hugh Orde's assessment that the IRA was responsible for the £26.5 million Northern Bank raid.