Northern Ireland's police service could face a £400 million (€426 million) compensation bill to pay thousands of officers who have sued for hearing loss, it was revealed today.
The original estimate was £90 million but it has now emerged that the PSNI could be forced to pay out more than four times that amount.
It is understood the number of former and serving policemen and women seeking damages has risen dramatically in recent months, with around 22,000 claimants now involved.
The claims relate to firearms training conducted in the 1970s and 80s when officers were not offered ear defenders on shooting ranges.
The payout for hearing damage was set by the courts at a minimum of £15,000.
The new estimates were disclosed by Northern Ireland Policing Board member Basil McCrea, who called on the government to come up with the money.
"Westminster must set aside a separate fund to deal with these legacy issues from the Troubles because the police simply don't have the resources," said the Ulster Unionist Assembly member.
While the incidents occurred in the era of the Royal Ulster Constabulary the current service has to shoulder any compensation payment.
The service, which has an annual operating budget of around £1.2 billion, is currently struggling in the face of a £130 million cut to its funding over the next three years.
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was forced to draw down £40 million from next year's budget just to balance the books this year.
More than 500 officers have already successfully claimed for hearing damages worth around £5.5 million.
Mr McCrea claimed if the government didn't pay up the PSNI would be force to cut services.
"If the police have to foot the bill then they'll have to pay off officers to do it, that's the long and short of it," said the Lagan Valley representative. "£400 million is a massive amount - it equates to the PSNI's total wages bill for one year."
The funding crisis comes against the backdrop of the ongoing political wrangle over the devolution of policing powers from Westminster to Stormont. When the responsibility is eventually transferred to the regional
administration, the budget for policing, which is currently managed by the Northern Ireland Office, will also rest with Assembly members.
An NIO spokesperson confirmed that any legal bill would have to be dealt with by the PSNI and Policing Board.