A technical glitch within Bank of Ireland’s online app has enabled customers with insufficient account balances to transfer and withdraw funds from ATMs.
The flaw allowed individuals to deposit money into a digital account linked to Revolut and subsequently withdraw cash from various ATMs.
Reports suggest some customers managed to access substantial sums, with claims of withdrawals reaching up to €1,000, although the bank asserts that the established daily withdrawal limit remains at €500.
The issue triggered a series of events that caught social media attention, portraying long lines at ATMs in different cities and instances of law enforcement being present at pay points.
The bank confirmed the existence of a technical problem affecting multiple services, including its mobile app and online banking portal, 365Online, on Tuesday.
It issued a cautionary advisory to customers, clarifying that any funds withdrawn or transferred beyond regular limits would eventually be deducted from their accounts.
The bank further encouraged customers not to engage in transfers or withdrawals that could lead to overdrawing.
Acknowledging the disruption, Bank of Ireland conveyed that both the mobile app and 365Online had been restored to operational status by Wednesday.
The bank anticipated that overnight payments would gradually reflect throughout the day.
It confirmed its awareness that the technical glitch had permitted certain customers to surpass their standard withdrawal and transfer limits.
These over-the-limit transactions were stated to be processed within the customers’ accounts on that day.
The bank urged customers facing potential financial strain due to overdrawing to make contact for assistance.
This incident follows a previous IT outage at the bank in June, though the earlier outage did not grant individuals access to funds beyond their account balances.