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December 25, 2004

12/25/04 – Adams’ Anger At Raids


Monthly Table of Contents 12/04

BB 12/25/04 Adams' Anger At Bank Probe Raids
IO 12/25/04 Power Cuts In Cork And Connemara
IO 12/25/04 White Christmas For Ireland

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4124947.stm

Adams' Anger At Bank Probe Raids

Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams has complained to the government about raids
by police investigating a £22m bank raid in Northern Ireland.

Five officers were hurt in Ballymurphy, west Belfast, as residents
clashed with police when they raided the homes of a prominent republican.

Mr Adams said the raids were carried out by "securocrats" intent on
wrecking the peace process.

Meanwhile, Northern Bank bosses may withdraw all the bank's notes.

Monday's bank raid is thought to have been one of the UK's biggest cash
robberies.

Family members of two senior executives of the Northern Bank were held
hostage for 24 hours, after gunmen threatened to kill them if the bank
employees did not follow their demands.

They were released once the robbery was reported at about 2345 GMT on
Monday.

Mr Adams said there was widespread anger in the republican community over
the series of raids in north and west Belfast on Christmas Eve.

"The objective of those who ordered these raids and the heavy-handed and
aggressive manner in which they were carried out is deliberately intended
to further destabilise the political situation," he said.

The home of leading Belfast republican Eddie Copeland was among those
searched by officers involved in the hunt to recover the stolen money.

During the two-hour raid, officers checked every room in Mr Copeland's
three-storey home and took away shoes and mobile phones.

Mr Copeland claimed they also opened about 30 Christmas presents.

He said: "They deliberately targeted me because they know I'm a
republican in the area.

Police can come here at any time, not that I would ever want them to

Eddie Copeland

"It's politically motivated and they're trying to make out republicans
were behind this robbery.

"There's no reason why they should come here, no reason at all, and I
have nothing to fear.

"Police can come here at any time, not that I would ever want them to."

Five officers were injured when their Land Rovers were attacked by a
crowd of up to 100 throwing stones, bottles and other missiles when
moving in to search a house in the Divismore area of Ballymurphy, west
Belfast.

Two needed hospital treatment. One was admitted unconscious, according to
police.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said the possible involvement
of paramilitaries is a "key line of inquiry".

Nobody will be out of pocket except the robbers

Northern Bank

But the IRA has denied involvement in the robbery.

A bank spokesman said the recall plan was "under very, very serious
consideration" but stressed that no decision has been taken.

He added: "Whatever happens, all existing notes will be honoured. Nobody
will be out of pocket except the robbers."

The unusual move would be an attempt to take out of circulation all of
the stolen notes, and render them worthless.

It would involve replacing about £30m of old banknotes.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2004/12/25 11:23:18 GMT
© BBC MMIV

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http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=128446110&p=yz84468y6

Power Cuts In Cork And Connemara

25/12/2004 - 10:51:29

More than 10,000 people have been left without power in Connemara and
parts of Cork due to an electrical fault in substations in those areas.

ESB crews have been working since early morning to repair the problem.

Kevin McDermott, spokesperson for the ESB, said that supply is expected
to be returned by lunchtime.

The fault is being investigated but may be attributed to the adverse
weather that much of the country has experienced.

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http://www.online.ie/news/viewer.adp?article=3189407

White Christmas For Ireland

online.ie
2004-12-25 09:50:02+00

People across vast areas of Ireland north and south are waking up to a
white Christmas for the first time in many years.

Snow has been falling in most counties as temperatures dipped to freezing
overnight.

The heaviest falls were in the northern half of the country.

The PSNI and gardaí have warned that road conditions are treacherous.
Officers have appealed to motorists to be very careful.

Snow has fallen across Northern Ireland, with Co Antrim and Belfast
covered on Christmas Day for the first time in years.

The main road from Belfast to Derry is particularly bad around the
Glenshane Pass.

There were light snow showers across the south and west of the country.

Heavier snow showers have struck the north west and north east.

It is officially a white Christmas with snow on the ground in many
counties including Donegal, Mayo and Sligo. This stretches right across
Leitrim, Roscommon, Cavan and on to Louth.

Met Eireann has warned that the west and north can expect more rain,
sleet and snow showers, but the eastern side of the country will only see
an occasional shower during the day.

Monthly Table of Contents 12/04
Posted by: Unknown / 8:32 AM
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