Bank officials to testify over raids

BANK officials have been called to appear before a Dáil committee amid claims of a sharp rise in the number of raids.

Justice committee chair Sean Ardagh said there has been increase of 10% in the number of raids and money stolen year on year to 2002. Mr Ardagh called on the banks to review security just hours after the latest bank robbery, in Dublin city centre at lunchtime yesterday.

Dozens of people witnessed two masked men flee the National Irish bank in College Green. The two men escaped with cash after jumping the counter just before 2pm.