Gardaí were sent out to disperse crowds after large queues formed last night at Bank of Ireland (BOI) ATMs around the country as news spread that, thanks to a glitch in the bank’s services, customers could withdraw €1000 in cash even if they had low funds in their accounts.
However, BOI have warned that the money will remain owing to the bank, and will be debited to their customers accounts. Some comments on social media questioned the role of the Gardaí in preventing people from withdrawing cash at ATMs.
It was reported that Gardaí were “directed to clear queues and to close access to ATMs” after the news spread of the glitch, and footage showed members of the force at ATMs in several areas.
In Navan, people seemed to be eager to get to the cash machine with some even queuing in their pyjamas to make withdrawals.
Bank of Ireland in Navan, major fault allowing money to be drawn out even if you have none in the bank. Where are the Gardai? pic.twitter.com/XujVzIhdAr
— Chris Rattigan ©️®️™️ (@ChrisRattigan1) August 15, 2023
But the queues were to be seen elsewhere – despite warnings that if customers had no funds or low funds on deposit the money would need to be repaid. People also reported being able to transfer funds from their Bank of Ireland accounts into Revolut accounts – and then use their Revolut cards to withdraw the money from the BOI cash machines.
Irish police monitor a queue after Bank of Ireland IT blunder allows customers who have no money get access to up to €1,000 in cash at ATMs pic.twitter.com/5HyORPcNTL
— John Rooney (@J1Rooney) August 15, 2023
#BankOfIreland right now on O Connell Street, the world has gone mad 😂 pic.twitter.com/LOkT3LvGcy
— Denise Ross (@iDeniseRoss) August 15, 2023
Bank of Ireland ATM queues grow in Dublin as customers with no money withdraw up to €1,000 in cash @DublinLive #LauraLyne @talktoBOI @robbiekane74https://t.co/LjIZC2Njr6
— Robbie Kane (@robbiekane74) August 15, 2023
I have heard that the BoI ATM’s are paying out better than slot machines. This is the proof. pic.twitter.com/yWnjjqpMUY
— Brendan. Abolish Unit Pricing. Give us a break. (@Dexxie57) August 15, 2023
The glitch made international news as Bank of Ireland scrambled to resolve the problem.
Bank of Ireland warning over cash machine glitch reports https://t.co/ey42Oxny67
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) August 16, 2023
Bank of Ireland said in a statement that they wanted to “remind customers that if they transfer or withdraw funds – including over their normal limits – this money will be debited from their account,” a BOI spokesperson said.
“While we are conscious customers may not be able to check their balance at this time, they should not withdraw or transfer funds if they are likely to become overdrawn,” the bank said last night.
Earlier yesterday, the bank apologised to customers for a technical problem with its online services, where service users could not access their accounts on the BOI app or website, or via phone banking.
“We are aware that customers using our mobile app and 365Online are currently experiencing difficulties,” a spokesperson said.
“We are working to fix this issue as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will update here once service is restored.”
Social media this morning continued to questioned the role of Gardaí in preventing people from making withdrawals.
A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána are aware of an unusual volume of activity at some ATM machines across the country.”
“An Garda Síochána are also aware of issues relating to certain financial institutions today.
“An Garda Síochána will remind people of their personal responsibility in carrying out their personal banking,” they added.
Optics on this are pretty bad. Struggling to get Gardai on the beat, banks not passing on interest rate to savings and yet the state runs to protect them when banks own system fails? #boi #atm https://t.co/HXiGZzZZCV
— Gary Owens (@OneQuipWonder) August 15, 2023
The Central Bank told the Irish Times this morning that it is continuing to “monitor the situation regarding the availability of certain services provided by Bank of Ireland”.
The regulator is “engaging with Bank of Ireland to ensure that any issues and errors identified are resolved for customers, and that it is doing all it can to ensure customers expectation of a high quality, uninterrupted service is met.”
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