DUBLIN, Ireland, May 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) announces that on 21 May 2003, it purchased ordinary shares. Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. announces that on 21 May 2003, it purchased 475,000 of its ordinary shares, at an average price of 13.0684 Euro, to be held as treasury shares.