Bank officials 'unfairly blamed' in tiger kidnappings

The group representing bank officials has said its members are being unfairly blamed for kidnapping and robbery incidents.

The IBOA comments come after a housemate of an AIB bank official was taken hostage by an armed gang in Dublin yesterday.

He was freed after the bank worker took more than €200,000 from the branch at Crumlin Cross.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has ordered an investigation into the matter over concerns that proper protocols were not followed.

The IBOA says ordinary bank staff are being blamed for handing over cash under extreme duress when their lives are threatened by armed criminals.