Property raids could hit peace process

THE raids on €44 million worth of suspected IRA property in Manchester could impede the North’s peace process, senior unionists have warned.

Anti-racketeer police squads yesterday searched 250 British homes and businesses as part of a financial probe linked to Tom “Slab” Murphy, the Provisionals’ alleged chief of staff.

Mr Murphy has a farm at Hackballscross on the border and has been under investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).