Bank heist: 'Everybody here knows the IRA did it'

Despite widespread belief that the Provisionals were responsible for the £22 million bank robbery, the culprits may never be convicted, writes Suzanne Breen

Security sources in Northern Ireland admit they are not confident that the gang behind the Northern Bank robbery will be caught and convicted.

There is no doubt among IRA members on the ground that the paramilitary group was responsible for the heist. "Everybody here knows the IRA did it and this is not a set-up by the securocrats.

"The jokes have been flying about it all over Christmas, although we don't know the nuts and bolts of the job. It's been kept very tight," said an Ardoyne activist.

Sources in the British and Irish governments, and in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), all privately acknowledge IRA involvement, despite denials from senior Sinn Féin and IRA figures.

Various sources have pointed out that IRA statements now lack credibility following lies about Colombia, the Bobby Tohill abduction and the murder of Joseph O'Connor, among other incidents.

Security sources said the bank heist had the hallmarks of an IRA gang which has carried out a series of other high-profile robberies in recent years. It is led by the intelligence officer of the IRA's General Headquarters (GHQ) staff, a west Belfast-based man who helped mastermind the 1983 H-Block escape and is a key supporter of Gerry Adams.

Another prominent republican suspected of involvement is the IRA's adjutant general, also a leading Adams loyalist and based in west Belfast, who has been a regular target of MI5 bugging attempts.

The DUP is increasingly unhappy about the police and British government response to the raid. Ian Paisley jnr, who sits on the Policing Board, said his request for an emergency Board meeting had been been refused.

The DUP claim the public is being denied information and is demanding immediate statements from the Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, and from Tony Blair.

"The biggest bank robbery in British history takes place and we have had complete silence from the authorities," said Ian Paisley jnr.

"The Policing Board isn't due to meet until February. I contacted the chairman, Des Rea, but he rejected my request for an emergency meeting.

According to security information I've received, the IRA was responsible for the robbery. This is a lethal blow to the peace process."

Other DUP sources said IRA involvement would markedly set back the chances of a deal in 2005. "If republicans are proved responsible, it shows the DUP were right to insist on a whole range of safeguards before going into government with Sinn Féin," said a senior DUP figure.

Bill Lowry, the former head of the Special Branch in Belfast, said no-one should be surprised by Provisional IRA involvement: "The IRA never stopped carrying out such activities in the first place. The ceasefire just meant an end to the military war against the British, nothing else.

"The IRA was involved in gun-running in Florida, training in Colombia, and countless other robberies. They reckon they can get away with it." He said the vibes from government to the security forces had long been that such matters were just "internal IRA house-keeping".

Security forces rate the IRA's director of intelligence, who allegedly masterminded the heist, as a formidable paramilitary opponent, said Lowry. "He lives, eats and breathes this sort of thing. He has built up an extensive network of contacts over the years, often among professionals and the middle-classes. Nobody underestimates him."

Earlier this year, the new-look PSNI dropped a large number of informants from its books. Lowry believes that losing such valuable agents has seriously harmed the force's ability to tackle paramilitary activity.

Although the homes of leading republicans in north and west Belfast have been raided following the heist, no arrests have yet been made.

"There has been no point making any arrests as the case isn't strong enough. Arresting and then releasing people in such circumstances only hurts the police," said a security source.

"There is absolutely no chance of any of this team breaking under interrogation anyway. It will all come down to forensic evidence."

A senior police source said, "it was not a case of raiding the homes of the usual suspects. Warrants aren't granted without reason. The political sensitivities are so huge these days."

A handgun and ammunition were stolen from a police Land Rover taking part in a raid on one republican home on Christmas Eve. The weaponry was stolen from the vehicle in Cavendish Street, off the Falls Road. "The PSNI is in danger of becoming a laughing stock," said Ian Paisley jnr. "They would make Inspector Clouseau look efficient."

Among those whose houses were raided was a leading north Belfast republican, Eddie Copeland.

Copeland (34) is not regarded as an influential republican outside of Ardoyne. His father was killed by the British Army in 1971. He has been arrested on suspicion of many crimes, including abduction and threatening behaviour, but never convicted. He has denied any involvement in the Northern Bank robbery.

Four mobile phones and 16 pairs of shoes were taken from his Ardoyne home, earning him the nickname "Imelda Copeland".

Copeland has survived several assassination attempts: a British soldier opened fire on him in 1993 as he stood with a group of mourners outside the home of Shankill bomber, Thomas Begley; and three years later, he suffered leg wounds when a bomb exploded under his car.

Also raided was a house used by John Trainor whom security sources claim is the Belfast Brigade's intelligence officer.

Trainor (34), whose house was also raided, is known in republican circles as "Johnny no ops", because of his limited experience of IRA activity.

Republican sources say he was arrested attending his first IRA weapons' lecture in west Belfast. He was convicted in 1993. Republican sources say that, on release, he was in charge of running bouncers for several pubs and clubs in nationalist areas.

Republican and security sources are divided on whether the IRA Army Council had advance knowledge of the Northern Bank robbery. "The Army Council has approved the principle of armed robberies but they aren't told the details of every one before it happens," says one republican.

"GHQ staff have the autonomy to choose their own targets and organise operations." Other sources claim such a high-profile robbery would have required Army Council approval, although there is speculation the IRA gang expected to find £5 million at most in the bank and couldn't believe their luck in getting away with over £22 million.

Both republican and security sources dismiss the possibility that the robbery was carried out by freelance or recently retired IRA members. Key members of the Northern Bank gang have been very active in the past year, they say.

They were responsible for the £1 million robbery of Makro cash-and-carry in Belfast in May 2004. Night-shift workers were held hostage in a locked storeroom during the four-hour raid of electrical appliances, tobacco, and alcohol.

As with the Northern Bank robbery, the gang displayed no unnecessary violence and acted in a professional and disciplined manner. Makro staff told detectives they were treated courteously throughout, with their safety guaranteed if they obeyed orders. And just three months ago, the IRA was involved in a £1.2 million heist of cigarettes from a Gallaher warehouse in Belfast, during which an Ardoyne family was held hostage.p