Bank staff are increasingly concerned about their safety, following some 50 raids on branches in the past three months.

Bank employees feel "vulnerable and helpless" in the face of random attacks, according to Mr Larry Broderick, general secretary of the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA). He called for an immediate meeting with the Minister for Justice, the banks, senior gardaí and the Oireachtas Justice, Equality and Law Reform Committee to discuss its members concerns.

An unprecedented number of resolutions have been tabled for the annual delegates' conference today, he said.

"Many IBOA members have spoken of the fears for their personal safety, and the helplessness and vulnerability they feel in the face of these random attacks," according to Mr Broderick.

"While counselling services are provided by banks to support staff who have been traumatised by bank raids, the IBOA believes that additional steps must be taken to address this issue," he added.

Bank employees believe that it is vital to heighten public awareness of this issue and to ensure that a co-ordinated strategy is put in place to protect them.

"Our members agree that preventative measures must be taken to address the problem. The banks also must refocus their efforts in terms of bank branch security measures.

"At present, the main priority for the banks appears to be to ensure the security of money in transit," according to Mr Broderick.

He added that recent raids were a direct threat to staff and bank customers.

The union will be urging the banks and gardaí to work with members on developing a co-ordinated strategy to address this threat, Mr Broderick said.