A former assistant manager and existing shareholder in AIB, who became one of the bank's most vocal critics, has lost a claim for damages for alleged assault by the bank's security staff before an annual general meeting more than six years ago.

Judge Liam Devally, in dismissing a claim by Mr Niall Murphy for up to £30,000 (€38,119) damages against the bank, said Mr Murphy had formerly been employed at a senior level and had strong disagreements with the bank during his employment which had been terminated in circumstances that were not amicable.

He had been and still was vocal in his criticisms of AIB, not only while employed by them but also currently as a shareholder.

Judge Devally agreed with Ms Doirbhile Flanagan, counsel for the bank, that Mr Murphy had taken part in group protests with posters displayed outside the bank headquarters and in a televised press conference, all of which had received considerable publicity.

Mr Murphy had claimed that he had been stopped and asked by security staff to allow his briefcase to be searched but had refused.

Judge Devally held that the security staff had a right to search Mr Murphy's attache case for materials they believed might have caused disruption at the a.g.m. Mr Murphy had injured himself in a slip and fall which had been entirely due to his own rash action in running away from a justified security check.