Bank workers 'a soft target', says IBOA chief
The Irish Bank Officials’ Association (IBOA) has today warned its 20,000 members to think carefully before agreeing to become key holders.
The statement comes following an incident today when a couple became the latest victims of a 'tiger' kidnapping.
“Members throughout Ireland are genuinely concerned for their safety and well-being as a result of these robberies,” said Larry Broderick, general secretary of the finance union.
“It is clear that there is a growing trend whereby bank staff are regarded as particularly vulnerable and viewed as a soft target by criminal gangs.
“There is an urgent need to address this issue.”
Mr Broderick called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to initiate a joint working group involving the gardaí, department officials, and banking and security staff to monitor developments in the general area of security within the financial services sector.
“It should be remembered that it is frontline bank staff whose lives, and that of their families, are being put in danger by the actions of criminals and the failure of security systems,” he added.
“Serious action needs to be taken now before an individual bank official or member of their family is seriously injured or worse.”
