Menu
07/01/2005
Murphy 'deeply disapointed' by IRA involvement in robbery
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Paul Murphy has said he is “deeply disappointed” that the IRA continues to involve itself in criminal activity.
Speaking while in New York, Mr Murphy said that the Chief Constable had briefed him on the ongoing police investigation into the Northern Bank robbery.
He said: “I am deeply disappointed that the Provisional IRA continue to engage in criminal activity despite the significant progress that has been made over the last few months in the political process.
“As the Prime Minister said on Thursday, there are no grounds for any misunderstanding: there can be absolutely no place for terrorist activity and there can be no place for criminal activity. The police will follow the evidence wherever it leads and anyone with any information should pass it to them.”
Mr Murphy also gave his assessment of the impact of the bank robbery on the political process. “Throughout my time as Secretary of State, I have always made clear that peace and stability in Northern Ireland rests on the development of the necessary trust between the communities.
“Without an end to all paramilitary activity, including criminal activity of all kinds, we shall not be able to re-establish that trust. This incident is deeply damaging. The two governments will reflect carefully on how to take matters forward and to sustain the substantial progress that had been made since the talks at Leeds Castle in September.”
The Secretary of State also expressed sympathy for the families who suffered at the hands of the gang behind the robbery.
“Some people seem to think that this was a victimless crime. It was not. People were kidnapped. They were held in very distressing circumstances while this robbery was carried out. The experience must have been terrifying and traumatic,” he said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that he had been shaken by the revelation as talks had been continuing close to the time when the raid occurred.
(MB/SP)
Speaking while in New York, Mr Murphy said that the Chief Constable had briefed him on the ongoing police investigation into the Northern Bank robbery.
He said: “I am deeply disappointed that the Provisional IRA continue to engage in criminal activity despite the significant progress that has been made over the last few months in the political process.
“As the Prime Minister said on Thursday, there are no grounds for any misunderstanding: there can be absolutely no place for terrorist activity and there can be no place for criminal activity. The police will follow the evidence wherever it leads and anyone with any information should pass it to them.”
Mr Murphy also gave his assessment of the impact of the bank robbery on the political process. “Throughout my time as Secretary of State, I have always made clear that peace and stability in Northern Ireland rests on the development of the necessary trust between the communities.
“Without an end to all paramilitary activity, including criminal activity of all kinds, we shall not be able to re-establish that trust. This incident is deeply damaging. The two governments will reflect carefully on how to take matters forward and to sustain the substantial progress that had been made since the talks at Leeds Castle in September.”
The Secretary of State also expressed sympathy for the families who suffered at the hands of the gang behind the robbery.
“Some people seem to think that this was a victimless crime. It was not. People were kidnapped. They were held in very distressing circumstances while this robbery was carried out. The experience must have been terrifying and traumatic,” he said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that he had been shaken by the revelation as talks had been continuing close to the time when the raid occurred.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 February 2005
Criminal activity impedes progress - Murphy
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has told MPs that the Provisional IRA’s “continued involvement in criminal activity” remained the main obstacle to the restoration of an inclusive executive in Northern Ireland.
Criminal activity impedes progress - Murphy
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has told MPs that the Provisional IRA’s “continued involvement in criminal activity” remained the main obstacle to the restoration of an inclusive executive in Northern Ireland.
11 January 2005
Murphy says bank raid 'deeply damaging' to peace process
The Secretary of State for Nothern Ireland, Paul Murphy, has today told the House of Commons that the impact of December's Northern Bank robbery is "deeply damaging" to the peace process. In a statement on the £26.
Murphy says bank raid 'deeply damaging' to peace process
The Secretary of State for Nothern Ireland, Paul Murphy, has today told the House of Commons that the impact of December's Northern Bank robbery is "deeply damaging" to the peace process. In a statement on the £26.
24 March 2004
Murphy calls for end to all paramilitary activity
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said that there must be a complete, total and definitive end to all paramilitary activity. Speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, Mr Murphy said that the two Prime Ministers emphasised at yesterday's meetings with the political parties the two main issues that needed to be tackle.
Murphy calls for end to all paramilitary activity
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said that there must be a complete, total and definitive end to all paramilitary activity. Speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, Mr Murphy said that the two Prime Ministers emphasised at yesterday's meetings with the political parties the two main issues that needed to be tackle.
28 February 2005
Inclusive Executive is ultimate goal of Government - Murphy
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said that the ultimate goal of the Government is an inclusive Executive which includes Sinn Fein. Speaking at the weekend Mr Murphy said the Government wanted to see an inclusive Executive formed which included Gerry Adams’ party, “but for that to happen the IRA must give up criminality”.
Inclusive Executive is ultimate goal of Government - Murphy
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said that the ultimate goal of the Government is an inclusive Executive which includes Sinn Fein. Speaking at the weekend Mr Murphy said the Government wanted to see an inclusive Executive formed which included Gerry Adams’ party, “but for that to happen the IRA must give up criminality”.
12 September 2017
Three People Arrested Over Criminal Activity Linked To The UVF
Three people have been arrested as part of ongoing investigations into criminal activity linked to the UVF in north Belfast. The PSNI's Criminal Investigation branch carried out a total of seven searches on Monday, 11 September. A man and woman were detained in Newtownabbey and a 56-year-old man was arrested in north Belfast.
Three People Arrested Over Criminal Activity Linked To The UVF
Three people have been arrested as part of ongoing investigations into criminal activity linked to the UVF in north Belfast. The PSNI's Criminal Investigation branch carried out a total of seven searches on Monday, 11 September. A man and woman were detained in Newtownabbey and a 56-year-old man was arrested in north Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
