Tiger kidnappings - Bank staff safety must be a priority

Larry Broderick, general secretary of the Irish Bank Officials’ Association, (IBOA) warned yesterday that the practice of so-called tiger kidnapping — in which members of the families of bank officials are kidnapped and held hostage — has been on the increase in recent months.

This dangerous and reprehensible practice has been more prevalent than the public is aware, because a number of instances have not been reported to the media.

Members of the IBOA endorsed a resolution yesterday warning that unless security is beefed up by September the association will instruct its members not to act as key holders. This is intended to emphasise the degree of alarm being felt by bank staff.