International Currency Exchange
IBOA calls for summit meeting on tiger kidnappings
Issued : 14 September 2009
"The recent tiger kidnapping of a bank official in North Dublin marks a worrying development for all bank officials on this island," said Larry Broderick, General Secretary of IBOA The Finance Union. "Each incident of this nature not only traumatises the family of the individual concerned: it also has a shocking effect on their immediate work colleagues as well as adding a further cause of anxiety for bank officials throughout the country.
"The targetting of innocent citizens and their families in this way is wholly unacceptable. It is not part of anyone's job description - nor should it even be tolerated as a necessary evil in any way. The principal responsibility for the safety and welfare of employees lies with the employer. So IBOA is determined to hold these employers accountable to secure appropriate levels of protection for all bank staff," said Mr. Broderick.
The Union's Security Sub-Committee is to be convened for a special meeting later this week.
In the meantime, the Union will seek meetings with the Garda Commissioner and the new Head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland along with the senior managers with responsibility for security at all of the major retail banks on the island of Ireland in order to conduct a comprehensive review of security procedures for staff and their families.
"Although this particular incident involved Bank of Ireland, no bank can be considered immune from the threat. By sharing insights and experience, we believe that it will to the mutual benefit of all concerned - and especially to the officials who are the primary targets of these attacks," added the IBOA leader
At the same time, IBOA will also seek meetings with the Minister for Justice in the Republic, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, and with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Office, Mr. Paul Goggins MP.
