Police are carrying out new searches as part of their investigation into the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery, Sinn Féin claimed today.
The party said officers raided the home of Francie Braniff, one of its former councillors in Ballynahinch, Co Down.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed a number of searches were being carried in the area. A spokeswoman would only say these were in relation to serious crime.
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Willie Clarke hit out at the operation. "The PSNI raid on the home of Francie Braniff this morning on the pretence of looking for materials related to the Northern Bank robbery was motivated by a political policing agenda.
"The PSNI was there for less than 15 minutes."
Police on both sides of the Border have blamed the IRA for the December 2004 Northern Bank heist in Belfast. Four men, including bank employee Chris Ward (24) have so far been charged in relation to the biggest cash theft in Irish or British history.
PA