Fine Gael has said those responsible for security at Bank of Ireland should "get their act together" following the kidnapping of an employee's husband and two children by raiders in Dublin yesterday.
The BOI official became the latest victim of a so-called “tiger kidnapping” when her husband and two children were seized and she was forced to hand over a large sum of money to a criminal gang.
The children, aged three and six, were tied up and bundled into a blue Opel van along with their father in what has been described by the bank as an “appalling” incident.
The family’s ordeal began at about 1am yesterday when at least four masked raiders forced their way into a house in Johnsbridge estate, Lucan. Five hours later the woman’s husband and two children were driven away in the van, registration number 07 D 69990.
The woman was forced to drive to her workplace in the Bank of Ireland in Inchicore as normal in the family’s black Toyota Rav 4, registration number 06 D 39011.
She left the bank at midday and drove to the Liffey Gaels GAA club in Inchicore, where she left the 4x4 vehicle with a sum believed to be about €300,000 on the back seat.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan TD noted this was the third incident involving Bank Of Ireland staff this year.
He said that after the first kidnapping in College Green last February, Bank of Ireland's chief executive had promised a major review of security.
"It is horrendous that this bank official, her husband and two young children had to endure such an ordeal. It is imperative that procedures are put in place and followed by all staff officials in order to ensure that these incidents are not repeated.
"In this case, the internal security procedures were apparently not adhered to and in light of this, the top brass at Bank of Ireland have serious questions to answer," he said.
"These vile acts can not be seen to be successful as copy cat attacks will be sure to follow, putting more staff members and their families in danger. Unless the internal security chief and the CEO of Bank of Ireland get their act together urgently they should consider their positions."