A Northern Bank branch, Belfast

Despite the latest police money laundering probe, Gerry Adams has said he is standing by claims that the IRA was not involved in the Northern Bank robbery.

With police operations taking place on both sides of the Irish border in connection with the latest developments, the pressure on republicans remains intense.

Seven people have been held in connection with money laundering, and Irish police chief Noel Conroy said some were suspected members of the IRA.

"We see a subversive element in the movement of this money," he said.

"We are following quite a number of lines as to where the money may have come from, and naturally enough, one of those relates to the Northern Bank robbery."

However, the police commissioner declined to speculate on whether there was any definite link with the Belfast raid.

Some of the cash seized in the south is now being examined to see whether there are links to the £26m Northern Bank raid last December.

The Sinn Fein president said he was standing by previous denials of IRA involvement in the robbery.

"I have asked for a full report from our party head office, so I can deal with this when I return," he said.

"I think people have to be very measured. As we speak I have no reason to change what I have said publicly.

"But let's be clear, Sinn Fein will not run away from our responsibilities on any of these matters.

"We would not have been able to play the role we have played in the peace process by ignoring issues or by not changing events and developments over the years."