Shareholders vent their anger at board members

High farce and drama unfolded at Bank of Ireland’s AGM yesterday as shareholders rounded on the board for the collapse in the bank’s share price over the past few years as well as billions in losses.

At one stage two shareholders threatened to take their differences outside for a bout of fisticuffs. In the end peace broke out between the two parties and hostilities were once again directed at beleaguered board members.

Chairman Archie Kane and chief executive Richie Boucher were the two obvious targets, although the Government’s public interest director — former Fianna Fáil minister Joe Walsh — also shipped a fair amount of abuse.