The Minister for Justice has dismissed the IRA denial of involvement in the Northern Bank robbery, saying the IRA's version of truth was what it considered to be convenient.
Mr McDowell told reporters in Dublin yesterday that the IRA's initial reaction to the Adare post office robbery and the killing of Det Garda Jerry McCabe was to do what it had done now: to issue a two-sentence statement denying it was involved. He said the IRA was later forced to acknowledge involvement "because the people who were arrested turned out to be leading members of their movement using their weapons".
The IRA denial of the December 20th bank robbery in Belfast, when some £26.5 million (€37.85 million) was taken, therefore "cuts no ice" with him, he said.
"Truth is what the IRA considers is convenient. It has nothing to do with fact," the Minister said.
In Belfast, the Sinn Féin leader, Mr Gerry Adams, said remarks by the Taoiseach that the Sinn Féin leadership knew of plans to rob the Northern Bank were untrue, highly offensive and profoundly damaging.
He said all sides had arrived at a "defining point in the entire process" and he accused parties in Dublin of "Sinn Féin bashing" and "discrimination against our party".
The Sinn Féin president said: "I want the Taoiseach to explain to me, man to man. . . the basis for him making this totally unfounded, offensive and wrong allegation."
Mr Adams and Mr Ahern are to meet early next week following the Taoiseach's return from China. The Taoiseach said yesterday he did not want to respond to Tuesday's late-night IRA statement until he returned to Ireland.
Frank Millar, London Editor, adds:
The British government faced mounting unionist agitation last night as it again reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive political settlement in Northern Ireland and to continued dialogue with Sinn Féin.
At the same time Downing Street and the Northern Ireland Office signalled their rejection of Tuesday night's statement by the IRA and repeated their backing for PSNI Chief Constable Mr Hugh Orde's determination that the Provisionals were responsible for the robbery.
And while it emerged that talks between the British government and Sinn Féin could be held as early as next week, senior Whitehall sources insisted this "would not be the resumption of a negotiation."
During Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons, the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, insisted: "I think there is sense in talking to Sinn Féin - not least to emphasise to them the significance of what has happened since this bank raid and the importance of ending criminality in Northern Ireland."
However, the Whitehall sources said the purpose of any meeting would be "to deliver the message that there will be no deal unless the IRA delivers."
Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble told Mr Blair he risked damaging himself and his party if he agreed to welcome back "the biggest bank robber in British history" for talks.
Mr Blair said he in no way dismissed the importance of the event, but added that he still wanted to see if he could find a way forward that included everybody. However, there could not be a situation any longer where political parties were associated with paramilitary groups.