IRA denies hand in N Ireland bank raid

Sources within the Irish Republican Army have previously rejected allegations that it carried out the raid, which took place in December, but the brief statement was the first official word from the group's leadership.

"The IRA has been accused of involvement in the recent Northern Bank robbery," it said. "We were not involved."

The statement was signed "P O'Neill", the pseudonym used for statements released by the IRA's Army Council, its leadership.

The daring heist at the Northern Bank on December 20, in which the families of two staff members were taken hostage, saw $49.5 million stolen.