McGuinness blames Belfast raid on 'criminals'

Sinn Féin chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness today blamed the Belfast bank robbery on "criminals" who had nothing to do with the IRA or the peace process.

Mr McGuinness blamed the British and Irish governments for the IRA's decision last night to withdraw its proposal to dispose of its weapons.

He said he saw it as a "direct consequence" of the "retrograde stance" of the two governments since the £26.5 million sterling Northern Bank robbery was blamed on the IRA.

The IRA, in a statement released last night, accused the two governments of withdrawing their commitments and trying its patience to the limit. It confirmed that it was withdrawing its proposals to get rid of its weapons.

"The IRA has demonstrated our commitment to the peace process again and again," it stated. "We wanted to succeed. We have played a key role in achieving the progress achieved so far."

Speaking on Newstalk 106's Dunphy Showthis morning, Mr McGuinness said the robbery was being used against republicans.

"The people who robbed the Northern Bank didn't give a damn about the peace process; didn't give tuppence for the work Gerry Adams and I and others were involved in over the course of many years; they were obviously people out for self-gain.

"It was a criminal robbery. I don't know who was responsible for it but I do know the consequences have seen the Taoiseach and others line up against us."

Mr McGuinness said the whole crisis had been created by the PSNI chief constable Mr Hugh Orde, who blamed the Provisional IRA for the robbery. He insisted again that, to his knowledge, no member of the Provisionals was involved.

He conceded that it would be a "very serious" matter if it was proven, as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has claimed, that Sinn Féin leaders knew the raid was being planned while negotiating last December.

Mr Gerry Adams accused the two governments last night of seeking confrontation. "They are engaging in the sterile politics of the blame game without any regard for the consequences."