Man faces cash laundering charges

About £26.5m was stolen in the robbery at the Northern Bank

A man has appeared in court charged with money laundering related to the Northern Bank robbery in 2004.

Ted Cunningham, 59, of Church View, Farran, Cork, denied 10 charges of handling money knowing it was the proceeds of a crime.

Don Blaney, 40, an English national with an Irish passport, of Passage West, Cork, was charged with possession of ammunition.

Both men were granted bail, but must surrender their passports.

They will both appear in court again next week.

The men appeared before Cork District Court on Thursday.

Mr Cunningham was arrested just after 0700 GMT on Thursday at his home in Farran.

He has been charged in connection with £3,585,840 and 221,000 euro in relation to the proceeds of the Northern Bank robbery.

It is understood he told detectives the money belonged to Bulgarian businessmen he had dealings with.

However, the court was told police believe money he had handled is linked to the £26m taken from the Northern Bank in December 2004.

Mr Cunningham, 59, is a former business associate of ex-Sinn Fein senior figure Phil Flynn.

About £2.3m was allegedly found in a wheeled bin outside Mr Cunningham's home in February 2005.