The Northern Bank Job

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Episode One: Unexpected Visitors

20210405

20210712 (R4)

It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process.

Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband.

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode One: Unexpected Visitors
Northern Bank employee Chris Ward is watching TV with his dad when there's a knock at the door. Kevin McMullan is at home with his wife Kyran when Police come to tell them there's been a road traffic accident. But all is not as it seems...

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Two: Killing Time

20210406

20210713 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Two: Killing Time
After a year of so called 'tiger kidnappings' all over Northern Ireland, negotiations continue to try to restore the Stormont power-sharing government, as Northern Bank employees Chris Ward and Kevin McMullan prepare to start the most extraordinary working shift of their lives...

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Three: Progressing Matters

20210407

20210714 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Three: Progressing Matters

As Kevin and Chris make their way down to the basement cash-centre safe, the masked men holding Kyran McMullan hostage ask if she'd like some light refreshments...

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran

Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell

Executive Editor: Andy Martin

Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Four: The Drop

20210408

20210715 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Four: The Drop
Chris leaves the bank with a bag over his shoulder...

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Five: Cash by the Trolley Load

20210409

20210716 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Five: Cash by the Trolley Load
A white van reverses up a narrow side street beside the bank, until its tailgate comes level with the bullion bay doors...

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Six: The Mastermind

20210412

20210719 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Six: The Mastermind
As news breaks of the robbery, along with a swirl of accusations and counter accusations, one politician uses parliamentary privilege to name the individual he believes was responsible for its meticulous planning.

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Seven: Burning Embers

20210413

20210720 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Seven: Burning Embers
Irish police follow a money laundering trail to County Cork, where someone is going to extreme lengths to get the cash off their hands

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Eight: See No Evil

20210414

20210721 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Eight: See No Evil
Weeks after the robbery a man is murdered outside a packed Belfast bar but no witnesses are coming forward

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Nine: Testimony

20210415

20210722 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Nine: Testimony
When Glenn attends the trial of the only person charged in direct connection with the raid, he's struck by what he hears in court and what he sees on TV that night

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episode Ten: This Country

20210416

20210723 (R4)

Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does.

Episode Ten: This Country
So where did all the money go? And what went with it?

Written and presented by Glenn Patterson

Music: Phil Kieran
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett

A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4

Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Episode One: Unexpected Visitors	20210405	20210712 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode One: Unexpected Visitors Northern Bank employee Chris Ward is watching TV with his dad when there's a knock at the door. Kevin McMullan is at home with his wife Kyran when Police come to tell them there's been a road traffic accident. But all is not as it seems... Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
02	Episode Two: Killing Time	20210406	20210713 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Two: Killing Time After a year of so called 'tiger kidnappings' all over Northern Ireland, negotiations continue to try to restore the Stormont power-sharing government, as Northern Bank employees Chris Ward and Kevin McMullan prepare to start the most extraordinary working shift of their lives... Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
03	Episode Three: Progressing Matters	20210407	20210714 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Three: Progressing Matters As Kevin and Chris make their way down to the basement cash-centre safe, the masked men holding Kyran McMullan hostage ask if she'd like some light refreshments... Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
04	Episode Four: The Drop	20210408	20210715 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Four: The Drop Chris leaves the bank with a bag over his shoulder... Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
05	Episode Five: Cash by the Trolley Load	20210409	20210716 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Five: Cash by the Trolley Load A white van reverses up a narrow side street beside the bank, until its tailgate comes level with the bullion bay doors... Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
06	Episode Six: The Mastermind	20210412	20210719 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Six: The Mastermind As news breaks of the robbery, along with a swirl of accusations and counter accusations, one politician uses parliamentary privilege to name the individual he believes was responsible for its meticulous planning. Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
07	Episode Seven: Burning Embers	20210413	20210720 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Seven: Burning Embers Irish police follow a money laundering trail to County Cork, where someone is going to extreme lengths to get the cash off their hands Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
08	Episode Eight: See No Evil	20210414	20210721 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Eight: See No Evil Weeks after the robbery a man is murdered outside a packed Belfast bar but no witnesses are coming forward Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
09	Episode Nine: Testimony	20210415	20210722 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Nine: Testimony When Glenn attends the trial of the only person charged in direct connection with the raid, he's struck by what he hears in court and what he sees on TV that night Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Actors: Louise Parker, Thomas Finnegan & Conor O'Donnell Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery
10	Episode Ten: This Country	20210416	20210723 (R4)	It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode Ten: This Country So where did all the money go? And what went with it? Written and presented by Glenn Patterson Music: Phil Kieran Executive Editor: Andy Martin Producer: Conor Garrett A BBC Northern Ireland production for Radio 4 Belfast writer Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the 2004 Northern Bank robbery