PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde tonight said he was "convinced" that bank notes seized in Co Cork in February were from the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery in Belfast.
Mr Orde told a public meeting of the Policing Board that the bulk of the money in new notes had not surfaced anywhere in the world. But it was "very clear" that used notes found in Cork were from the robbery.
"We are convinced these notes came form the Northern Bank robbery and we will be providing statements and evidence to the Garda to enable them to take forward their investigation," he said.
A total of £2.3 million in used notes was seized a raids on the Co Cork a house belonging to a financier. Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kincaid told the meeting the money had been moved there "as part of a provisional IRA money laundering operation".
The Garda are also carrying out an inquiry into the Northern Bank robbery but have not confirmed the cash seized was from the December robbery, blamed on the IRA.
Mr Orde said the PSNI was determined to bring its investigation to a conclusion. "Success for us is putting someone in front of a Court charged with serious and substantial offences".
Meanwhile, the Policing Board was told of plans for the probable closure of 17 police stations across the North before the end of the financial year. The Chief Constable, said 13 of the stations covered a population of just 50,000 people and he believed the service would more effectively operate with officers outside stations not inside them.
However, he pledged there would be no closures without prior proper consultation with the local communities. He said recommendations would be made to the Policing Board over the coming months.
Those stations identified for closure were listed as Ardglass, Castlewellan, Moy, Ballygawley, Caledon, Ballinamallard, Derrygonnelly, Irvinestown, Castlerock, Kinawley, Rossley, Moneymore, Lisbellaw, Newtownbutler, Tempo, Dromore (Co Tyrone) and Plumbridge.
PA