McDowell attacks NIB failure to contact gardaí

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday criticised the National Irish Bank (NIB) for failing to inform gardaí about this week’s hostage drama.

He said financial institutions, like everyone else, had a legal obligation immediately to contact gardaí once they knew a crime was underway. He expressed concern that the conduct of the bank could lead to copycat crimes and put people’s lives in jeopardy.

NIB chief executive Andrew Healy issued a statement last night and said staff at the bank were being unfairly judged and that criticisms failed to adequately take account of “the dangerous, difficult and traumatic circumstances” staff found themselves in.