IRA bank robbers
The week's news at a glance.
Belfast
A splinter branch of the IRA was behind last month’s dramatic bank robbery in Belfast, the Northern Ireland police claimed this week. A gang of robbers held the families of two employees hostage while their cohorts emptied the vault of the Northern Bank, making off with $50 million. Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he had evidence that the Provisional IRA had carried out the heist. The robbers may not profit, though: Northern Bank is to withdraw all of its bank notes, which carry a Northern logo, from circulation. That, said Orde, would make the robbery “the largest theft of wastepaper in living history.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The struggles of Aston Martin
In the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibe
The Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort