A Northern Bank employee accused of the robbery of £26.5 million from the bank's headquarters in Belfast has been granted bail by a High Court judge.
Lawyers representing Chris Ward (24), from Colinmill, Poleglass, West Belfast, had challenged a previous court decision to remand him in custody.
Lord Justice Campbell granted the application but ordered Ward, of Colinmill, Poleglass, west Belfast to report to police twice daily, observe a curfew and surrender his passport.
Belfast High Court heard Mr Ward's solicitor had requested he be kept away from loyalist prisoners at the Co Antrim jail and be moved to the republican wing.
Frank O'Donoghue QC told the court the transfer, which took place last week, followed concerns over his client's security.
During the one-hour hearing today, Lord Justice Campbell acknowledged the seriousness of the robbery last December, the biggest in British history, but said Mr Ward had to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"This case is one of circumstantial evidence and it is not my task to comment on the strength or weakness of that," he said.
The judge told the court Mr Ward, who appeared via video link, had a clear record, as did his parents, with whom he lives. He also noted that he had been considered fit to have a position of responsibility at the Northern Bank, for which he had worked since January 1999.
Gordon Kerr QC, counsel for the prosecution, had claimed there was a chance witnesses or evidence could be interfered with and that Mr Ward might not show up for his trial. But the judge said he did not believe that to be the case and granted bail.
Lord Justice Campbell ordered Ward to observe a curfew from 9.30pm to 7.30am, report twice daily to police, surrender his passport and not apply for a new one.
The judge also said Ward must not enter any property owned by the Northern Bank and not go within a one-mile radius of Belfast City Hall, which is next to the bank's headquarters. He was told he must not enter Loughinisland, Downpatrick or Drumkeeragh Forest - where his co-hostage's wife was dropped off after her ordeal.
Bail was set at £10,000 but it also included two independent £10,000 sureties and £45,000 each from Mr Ward's parents, with the title deeds to their home as security.
Mr Ward is due to reappear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on January 4th.
Mr Ward denied the charge when he appeared in Laganside Magistrates' Court on December 7 th. In a statement that was read out in court, he accused the PSNI of using electronic surveillance on him at home and abroad in a bid to frame him.
He became the second man accused of the robbery, which police have blamed on the Provisional IRA, after being questioned for eight days, during which about 60 interviews were carried out.
Soon after the raid, Mr Ward gave a television interview in which he spoke of his ordeal.
Building contractor Dominic McEvoy (23), of Kilcoo, Co Down, was the first man to be charged with the robbery.
He was remanded in custody last month after also being accused of holding bank worker Kevin McMullan and his wife hostage and possession of a gun or imitation firearm. Mr McEvoy has since been released on bail.