Heist similar to Northern Bank robbery

THE elaborate kidnap and robbery at Bank of Ireland’s landmark College Green building overlooking Trinity College was similar to the £26.5 million (€29.7m) pre-Christmas heist carried out by the IRA on the Northern Bank’s head office in Belfast in December 2004.

Minutes after the latest robbery, newly appointed Bank of Ireland chief executive Richard Boucher sent an email to all staff expressing sympathy but reminded employees to follow tried and trusted steps to foil tiger kidnaps. Bank staff are told to raise the alarm the moment they are separated from the kidnap gang.

Other Bank of Ireland employees were in the branch as Mr Travers filled bags with cash.