Ex-Ulster Bank staff charged over £750,000 theft

Three former Ulster Bank employees have been charged with stealing £750,000 of money that was due to be incinerated.

Three former Ulster Bank employees have been charged with stealing £750,000 of money that was due to be incinerated.

The men were remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates Court.

They face two charges of stealing money and one of money laundering, by attempting to conceal the stolen cash using a series of bank and building society accounts.

The charges cover the theft of £131,000 last Thursday and a total of £750,000 between November 2001 and February 21st, 2002 from the Ulster Bank in Waring Street, Belfast.

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The court was told that Mr Paul O'Hare, 38, from Linden Gardens in Belfast, Mr Andrew Godfrey, 40, from Hampton Park, Bangor, Co Down and Mr Liam O'Rawe, 40, from Downfine Park in Belfast had stolen old notes and attempted to hide them in bank and building society accounts.

But the officer in charge of the case, Det Sgt Margaret Connor from the Economic Crime Unit, objected to bail because around £250,000 was still in bank and building society accounts.

She added that the unit is in the process of acquiring a restraining order to freeze these accounts but this would take a number of days.

Solicitors acting for the three men all applied for bail on the grounds that they had cooperated fully with the police after their arrests.

They also argued that Ulster Bank or its customers had not lost any money from the actions of the three.

The men were granted leave to apply for bail again on Tuesday by which time the outstanding accounts would be under police control.

PA