A Northern Bank employee changed a duty rota so that he was a keyholder on the night of the £26 million robbery, it was alleged in court yesterday.
The claim was made by a Crown lawyer opposing a bail application by Christopher Ward (24), Colinmill, Poleglass, West Belfast, who is accused of the record-breaking heist at his bank's Belfast headquarters and using a gun to commit the offence on December 20th last year. Mr Ward claims he had been taken hostage and was acting under duress when he was seen on CCTV carrying a hold-all containing £1.2 million out of the bank.
Gordon Kerr QC said Mr Ward was brought to the home of another bank employee and keyholder, Kevin McMullan, at Loughinisland, Co Down.
"Significantly, after Mr McMullan's wife was taken away, he and Ward were left alone by the terrorists until the next morning when it was time to go to work," said Mr Kerr.
When other staff left work Mr Ward filled a sports bag with £100 notes, left the bank and gave the money to a man at a bus stop, as instructed.
"He then returned and he and Mr McMullan loaded money into boxes in preparation for the arrival of the terrorists.
"At 7.05pm a white transit van was observed on CCTV reversing along Wellington Street and leaving seven minutes later, the first pick-up of the money," Mr Kerr said.
Mr Ward's attitude while in the McMullan home could be described as strange. "He made a request to the hostage takers to get him some beer from the fridge and slept through part of the evening," he added.
When left alone the next morning Mr McMullan suggested they use a helpline number supplied to bank employees but the evidence suggested Mr Ward strongly and vehemently resisted.
"Despite the fact that McMullan was the senior person he had no further contact with the robbers and all contact went through Ward, whose behaviour again appears to be inconsistent that threats were made," said Mr Kerr.
"After the first pick-up of cash, it was observed that the driver spoke in whispers to Ward and handed him wrapping materials to put around cages of money to be loaded."
Mr Kerr said: "The evidence would suggest that the degree of knowledge shown by the robbers of the internal systems in the bank made it clear they had inside knowledge and that was consistent with Ward's duties and responsibilities, not someone higher in the bank."
Frank O'Donghue QC, for Mr Ward, said he had a clear record and during police interviews at the time of the robbery and following his arrest he had steadfastly maintained his innocence.
"His clear case is that he has been a victim of this group and was not a participant in any way, shape or form," he said.
Lord Justice Campbell said he was influenced by the fact that Ward had a clear record and also that he was considered fit for a place of responsibility with the Northern Bank.
"The real concern is whether he would turn up for his trial if released on bail," said the judge. "I have to say it is a matter which I had to consider very anxiously because of the enormity of the crime alleged against him. But I believe that he will turn up and I propose to grant him bail."
Mr Ward was released on his own bail of £10,000, two independent sureties of £10,000 each and his parents were ordered to deposit the deeds of the family home to cover sureties of £45,000 each.
He was also ordered to surrender his passport, report to police twice daily, not go within a mile of the robbery and not to interfere with witnesses.