DUBLIN, Ireland, May 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) announces that on May 8, 2003, it purchased ordinary shares. Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. announces that on May 8, 2003, it purchased 1,710,000 of its ordinary shares, at an average price of Euro 14.26491, to be held as treasury shares.