People will have to pay back any money they withdrew but did not actually have in their account, Bank of Ireland has confirmed. 

Last night, queues formed by ATMs after a technical glitch meant people reported seeing money in their Bank of Ireland accounts they did not have before.

“Bank of Ireland has been unable to say how people were able to get access to money like this,” Irish Independent Personal Editor Charlie Weston said.

“What has gone wrong here? The bank is essentially going to put you in the red, in deficit, you’re going to be told that once they get the system sorted out.”

Gardaí were brought in to disperse the queues and the bank has insisted extra funds “will be debited from [customers’] account[s]” in the future.

We would like to remind customers if transferring/withdrawing funds-including over normal limits-this money will be debited from their account.We are conscious customers may not be able to check balances,but should not withdraw/transfer if they are likely to become overdrawn

— Bank of Ireland (@talktoBOI) August 15, 2023

Its staff have been working overnight to correct technical issues which have disrupted services on its Banking 365 portal and its mobile app.

“They’re not able to say how much has flown out but it’s obviously a lot of money,” Mr Weston said.

“It’s into the millions and millions… The word might have got out that this is some kind of IT blunder where the bank can’t record the fact that it’s given you access to the money but I’m being told by Bank of Ireland that they will record and they may come after you for the money.

“How that’s going to happen, I don’t know.”

Bank of Ireland has apologised to customers for any confusion and inconvenience.