DUBLIN, Ireland, May 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) has today announced that Mr Lauri McDonnell has been appointed as the independent assurer of the investigation into certain foreign exchange charges made by AIB. This appointment has been approved by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA). Mr McDonnell, who is a former Comptroller and Auditor General, will take up this post with immediate effect. He will have access to external independent audit expertise in carrying out the investigation, which is to be completed by mid-June.