THE JUDGE presiding over the Northern Bank robbery trial yesterday heard evidence from the family of Christopher Ward, the only man charged in connection with the £26.5 million (€33.5 million) robbery.
Mr Ward (26) was a bank employee when its headquarters at Donegall Square in Belfast were targeted on December 20th, 2004.
Statements made by Mr Ward’s mother Rose and brother Gerard were read to Mr Justice McLaughlin at Belfast Crown Court.
Both Rose and Gerard Ward told police they were forced to stay in their Colinglen home in Poleglass, west Belfast, for a 24-hour period after three men called at their home on December 19th.
Rose and Gerard Ward told police that Chris was ordered to bring a bag before leaving with one of the men, while another man remained with the family from Sunday evening to 10.15pm on Monday, December 20th.
They said Chris returned home at about 8.45pm on December 20th with his boss Kevin McMullan, who was extremely concerned about his wife Kyran.
In his statement, Gerard Ward told police, “Christopher and Kevin told us the bank had been robbed and money had been stolen.”
Mr Ward has been charged with robbing the bank and of the false imprisonment of Mr McMullan and his wife .
He denies all charges against him.
The trial continues.